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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D.

BY

JOHN,:
BISHOP OF LIMERICK.

PRIVATE IMPRESSION.

LONDON

1832.

LoNDOK :

I'linted by A. & R. Spotfiswoode,

New- Street- Square.

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

OF

WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D.

William Phelan, D.D., was born at Clonmel,
in the county of Tipperary, on the 29th of April,
1789. His father, Mr. John Phelan, was in nar-
row circumstances, and of humble station * ; but
with feelings and habits, such as, in England, are
rarely to be met with, in the less fortunate portion
of society. It is, unhappily, matter of history,
that, down to the close of the seventeenth century,
changes of property in Ireland, were great, violent,
and irretrievable. In the course of those chances,
the ancestors of young Phelan were heavy suf-
ferers ; but they cherished the remembrance of the
pastt; and in this, and other instances, men, not

* He was, by trade, a wool-comber.

t A long remembrance: but thus it is in Ireland. The
great bulk of the Phelan property was lost, I believe, so early
as the twelfth century.— J. L.

VOL. I. a

2 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

niiifli raised above the rank of peasants, were often
distin<ruislii'(l l)y a conscious dignity, wholly in-
dependent of, and superior to, mere outward con-
dition. Such was, peculiarly, the case in Clonmel.
Many reduced families resided there. To these,
was attached a kind of traditional estimation, by
persons, in externals, abundantly more prosperous :
and their children, not unfrequently, grew up with
a sense of personal respectability, and a disposition
to re-assume, if they could, what they thought
their proper station in society.* The subject of
this memoir, accordingly, was never vulgarized :
he was, what his father had been before him, a
native gentleman. There ever adhered to him, a

* The writer cannot help recording a curious fact, which he
heard several years ago from Dr. Phelan's own lips. His words
were nearly as follows : ' When I was a very little boy, I was
invited to attend a funeral. The house in which the people
were assembled, was within a short distance of Clonmel, on
the banks of the river Suir ; and commanding an extensive
prospect, into the county of Waterford. A friar, who hap-
pened to be present, drew me apart from the company, (I
was then a Koman-Catholic) ; he led me to a bay-window,
took me by the hand, and said, ' Look there, look around you,
my boy ; those mountains, these valleys, as far as you can see,
were once the territory of your ancestors : but they were
unjustly despoiled of it." I never can forget the impression.
My young blood boiled in my veins. For the time, I was, in
spirit, a rebel. And, I verily believe, if it had not been the
good pleasure of Providence, to lead me into other circum-
stances, and furnish me with better instructors, I might have
terminated my life on a scaffold.' — ,T. L.

OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D. D. 3

self-respect, and a dignity of character, which
shrunk from every thing ungenerous and unworthy.
And both the example and conversation of his
father, were well calculated to confirm his sood
dispositions. Filial piety, it will appear amply in
the sequel, was, with him, almost an instinct ; and
it is certain, that, thus to call it forth, there must
have been genuine worthiness in the parent. Nor
should it be omitted, that the literary aspirings of
the youthful student were first nourished beneath
the paternal roof The elder Mr. Phelan was
well versed in the Latin language ; and he failed
not to impart, where they might prove eventually
beneficial, his own classical predilections. But,
what was of far more serious consequence, those
principles of virtue and goodness were instilled,
which, during his short, but exemplary life, never
forsook the grateful son : he might, indeed, well
say,

' Non patre praeclaro, sed vita et pectore puro :
Ipse mihi custos incorruptissinms.' *

In the year 1796, William was sent to a daily
grammar school, in his own immediate neighbour-

* Admirably transfused and heightened, by the greatest of
our later poets : . .

< My boast is not, that I deduce my birth
From loins enthroned, and rulers of the earth ;
But higher far my proud pretensions rise,
The son of parents passed into the skies.'
A 2

4 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

hood. The master, Mr. Michael Ryan, was an
expert I>atinist ; pedantic, amiable, and entlnisi-
astic. Of general information, indeed, his por-
tion \vas but scanty ; and he was no Grecian ; bnt
the little that lie knew, he imparted with steady,
and affectionate sedulity. His pupil ever felt to-
wards him, a strong sense of obligation ; and
repeatedly declared, that, to him he was indebted,
for the correctness and facility, with which he both
wrote and spoke the Latin language. There he
remained, between six and seven years ; and, cer-
tainly, his time was not misemployed. The busi-
ness of the school he made, invariably, his grand
object. It seemed to be a law of his nature, that
the most important things had the first claim on
his attention. Matters of daily business once tho-
roughly mastered, then, and not till then, he felt
himself at liberty to look elsewhere for recreation :
this he found, in those healthful, manly exercises,
which he keenly relished ; but, especially, in those
more recondite pursuits, to which, from early youth,
he was devotedly attached.* His gaiety of heart,
and buoyancy of spirits, tempered, as they always
were, by a certain meditative gravity of mind, were
no less delightful to his companions, than they were
indicative of his own future eminence.

* Irish history and antiquities, shoukl, more particularly,
be mentioned among his favourite recreations.

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 5

While yet a school-boy, he showed strong military
propensities ; not, indeed, a predilection for the
pomp and circumstance, so much as for the science,
of war. He was fond of military evolutions ; and
he especially noticed scenery, with reference to the
disposition of forces, the selection of commanding
posts, and the occupation of important vantage-
grounds. From topics of this nature, he was apt,
in more advanced life, to borrow illustrations ; but,
always, strictly in keeping with the religious cha-
racter of his mind.

But, that, under Mr. Ryan, his education never
could be completed, he well knew. Therefore,
both he and his father readily acceded to a proposal,
which, about this time, was made to them. It
happened, that two of his play-mates * were about
to be sent to the endowed school of Clonmel, then
under the direction of the Rev. Richard Carey.
Their father good-naturedly suggested, that it
would be well, if they were accompanied by their
young comrade. To school, accordingly, the
three friends proceeded, as day-scholars. This
occurred in 1803, when William was about four-
teen years of age. The date seems not unworthy
to be specified : for this was the great providential

* The Rev. Samuel, and Ilev. Mortimer, O'SulIivan.
a 3

C) BIOGRAPHICAL MEINIOIH

turninj^-point, wliich determined the direction and
character of" liis future life.

Never, perhaps, was master more beloved and
revered by his pupils, than was Mr. Carey. A\'ith
extensive knowledge, critical acumen, and refined
taste, he united the most child-like simplicity of
spirit. It was almost impossible to be admitted to
his familiar society, (and all his deserving pupils
became his private friends,) without growing 'lenior
ac melior,' gentler in manners, and more kind in
heart. One who knew him well, has sketched the
likeness of this amiable man* ; with such just,
though vivid colouring, that it were injurious to
substitute other phraseology than his own :

* I have his light and graceful figure' says my
correspondent, t * at this moment before me. His
bare and reverend forehead, slightly sprinkled with

* I, too, had the gratification of meeting Mr. Carey : but
it was only once, . . Virgilium tantum vidi ! But that once,
was enough to satisfy me, that all which I had heard of him,
was strictly true. It was in the month of October, 1806, at
Darling Hill, in the county of Tipperary, by the invitation of
an old pupil of his, the present Mr. Serjeant Pennefather. It
gave me singular pleasure, to see the good man. He recalled,
almost every moment, the memory of my beloved college
friend, John Sauoint : who, in the course of the years 1791,
. . 1798, delighted in recording anecdotes, of his school-boy
days ; and never failed to speak of his master, Mr. Carey,
(who long survived him.) with the most affectionate vener-
ation. — J. L.

t The Rev. S. O'Siillivan.

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 7

the snows of time, and his mild countenance radiant
with benignity, and sparkling with intelligence.
The gentleness, and suavity of his disposition ; the
polished courtesy of his manners ; his exact, and
discriminative judgment ; his various and profound
learning, . . these were scarcely adverted to by his
friends, amidst the love and veneration which were in-
spired, by the richer treasures of his moral nature : by
his generous detestation of oppression ; by his noble
scorn of every thing mean, or base ; by his fervent
piety, his steadfast friendship, his rare disinterested-
ness, and his deep humility ; by the charity, which
prompted him to be liberal, often beyond his means ;
and by the singleness of nature, which almost un-
consciously realized the gospel rule, ' not letting
his left hand know, what his right hand did.' My
recollection of William's first introduction into
Mr. Carey's school, is vivid, as though it took
place but yesterday. The good old man was, at
that period, gradually withdrawing from active life ;
and his attention was limited, to a very small num-
ber of pupils. He received, indeed, those only, who
were recommended by his personal friends. Of
that number, my father had the good fortune to be
one. And thence it was, that we were admitted
to a trial. From the slovenliness, which, in that
part of Ireland, then prevailed in the elementary
parts of classical education, Mr. Carey had found it

A 1<

8 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

necessary to establish the general rule, that all who
came to him, from other schools, should, however
plausible their seeming proficiency, retrace their
steps through the Latin grammar. My brother
and I, were, from our time of life, (we were a few
years junior to our friend,) exempt from all mor-
tification on this score : we were mere beginners ;
and, of course, were well satisfied to commence at
the commencement. Some of the boys, however,
officiously told Phelan, of the humiliation which
awaited him ; no slight one, it will be admitted, to a
diligent student of six or seven years' standing, who
had been already delighting himself, with the dense
eloquence of Tacitus. He reddened, but said
nothing. Then came the trial. A book was put
into his hands : when such, at once, appeared his
grounded knowledge of the Latin language, and so
correctly classical was the diction of some exercises
which he produced, that, without the least hesitation,
Mr. Carey passed him into his highest class. On
being asked what he would have done, if relegated
to the pages of Lilly, . . ' I should immediately have
walked out of the school,' said the high-minded
youth, ' and never set my foot into it again ? " *

* Tliis early anecdote is highly characteristic. The writer
has seen Dr. Phelan under momentary bursts of feeling, wliich
this trait of the Clonmel school-boy powerfully calls to mind.
But I have heard, too, his ingenuous confessions of error ; his

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, I). D. 9

He was now placed in circumstances, well fitted
to unfold his powers. He soon came to revere
Mr. Carey ; who stood to him in the relation, not
so much of an instructor, as of a parent, and a friend.
Under him, in addition to his former acquirements,
young Phelan gained a thorough knowledge of
Greek : and, what was far better, his genius was
kindled, and his taste refined, by constant, fa-
miliar intercourse, with a ' master-spirit.' A slight,
but characteristic incident, will best show the terms
on which they lived. One evening, as they were
returning towards the school, from a country re-
sidence of Mr. Carey's, Phelan, on passing a par-
ticular street, looked up, and said, . . * That, Sir, is
the house, in which I was born.' . . ' Well, my dear
William,' the benevolent man replied, . . ' I trust,
that your fellow-townsmen, will, one day, point out
this house, with a satisfaction no less lively, but

humble and contrite submission, in cases where the offence
had been purely venial. The truth is, he was intimately
known to very few : few, therefore, could enter fully into his
character. But, it is no more than justice to bear witness,
that his failings, were but the infirmities of a noble mind. His
native temperament, indeed, was peculiarly sensitive, and de-
licate ; and while he strove, habitually, to keep it under due
control, some allowance will be made, by every generous
mind, for the natural influence of failing healtli. But, after
all, I never knew a human being, with a more placable spirit,
or a tenderer heart. This I say advisedly ; and, as I think,
with a thorough knowledge of the man. — J. L.

10 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

far better foiinded, tlian that, with which they now
show to the enquiring stranger, tlie birth-place of
unhappy Sterne ! ' Surely, not to love such a man,
was altogether impossible.

The young student's views for the future, were,
at first, not very definite : certainly, they were any
thing but hopeful.

His poor parents had made a great struggle, to
procure him the advantages which he already en-
joyed : and to think of the University, seemed
little less than preposterous. But Mr. Carey was
a vigilant, and ardent friend. He smoothed all
difficulties ; surmounted every scruple ; and, from
his own scanty income, advanced a sufficient yearly
allowance to cover all ordinary college expenses.
Nor was this assistance discontinued, but in con-
sequence of Phelan*s own earnest request ; when,
on his election to a scholarship, it ceased to be
strictly necessary. And, to bring his school-boy
days to a close, he was, after having remained three
years under Mr. Carey, admitted a sizer of Trinity
College, Dublin, in June, 1806, and in the eigh-
teenth year of his age.

Before his removal, however, to this wider
sphere of action, an important change had taken
place, in his theological opinions. The commence-
ment of this change, I have the advantage of
stating in the words of Dr. Phelan himself, as re-

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 11

lated by him to an early friend. * ' I was walking
home with *****^ (member of a lay fraternity of
Roman Catholics,) to translate for him some por-
tion of the Breviary, when Mr. Carey rode by on
his mule, at his usual quiet pace : . . * What a pity,*
said *****, 'that that good man cannot be saved!'
. . I started : the doctrine of exclusive salvation
never appeared so prodigious ; and I warmly denied
its truth, and authority. ***** was stubborn in
its defence ; and we each cited testimonies, in be-
half of our respective opinions. I withdrew to
l)ed ; occupied by thoughts which this incident
awakened ; went over, again, all the arguments,
pro and co7i., which my memory could supply ;
weighed all the evidence, which, in my judgment,
might throw light on the subject ; questioned,
whether any evidence could induce me to acquiesce,
in a dogma so revolting ; and fell asleep, in no
good disposition to the creed, which could pro-
nounce Mr. Carey's reprobation. In the morning
when I awoke, it appeared, that I had insensibly
reasoned myself into the belief of the right of
private judgment ; and, thus, I virtually reasoned
myself out of the Church of Rome.'

The impression thus happily made, was not suf-
fered long to remain dormant, or inactive. Even
in his boyish days, he had a most sagacious, pene-

* Tlie Reverend Mortimer O'Sullivan.

12 IHOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

trating mind. Witli liini, religion was never a
matter of compromise, or convention. He regarded
it, as the main concern of life ; on which was sus-
pended his everlasting happiness or misery. It
became, therefore, the object of his very serious
thoughts ; and his anxious researches produced a
thorough conviction, that the Church of England
is the soundest portion of the church of Christ.
Accordingly, on entering college, he gave in his
name, as a Protestant. * While any lingering
doubts, (those fond misgivings of the finest and the
firmest minds,) which might, perhaps, at first,
have somewhat obscured his intellectual vision,
were entirely dissipated, by a judicious course of
reading; in which he was accompanied, and assisted,
by his able and affectionate tutor, at that time pre-
paring for holy orders.t Nor should it be omitted,

* In the University of Dublin, Roman-Catholics are ad-
missible.

A fact, which I have learned since writing the above
paragraph, should, by no means, be omitted. Before Dr. Plie-
lan's entrance into Trinity College, it had been the wish of his
father, (a very natural one surely,) that he should become a
student at Maynooth, with a view to the priesthood of the
Church of Rome. He was induced, accordingly, to attend an
examination, lield at Waterford, for one or more vacancies in
that seminary. Though much younger than the other can-
didates, his literary superiority was evident ; and a vacancy
was, in consequence, placed at his option. lie, however,
declined it. The fact is, his former opinions, had been already
shaken ; and lie soon became irrevocably attached to the
Church of England. — J. L.

t Dr. Wall.

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, I). D. 13

for, ill him, it was quite characteristic, that the
clear convictions of his judgment were unaccom-
panied by the least acerbity of feeling. Indeed,
he never ceased to bear the tenderest affection
towards his Roman-Catholic brethren ; he, conti-
nually, and most earnestly, looked to their spiritual
improvement ; and, a very short time before his
death, he thus writes to a confidential friend: . .
' My heart yearns to go to the south : I would
revive my Irish ; and acquire enough of it, for
expounding the Irish Bible.'

He was now(180G), fairly launched in academic
life ; and his progress may be not unfitly described,
as an unbroken career of successful application.
His competitors were the most distinguished men,
who, for many years, had appeared in the Uni-
versity. But, among the very foremost, he honour-
ably maintained his ground ; and, it is little to say,
that he obtained a scholarship, and the highest
honours, both classical and scientific, which could
be conferred ; for, in truth, he rated such things
at their proper value ; trifling in themselves, and
chiefly to be prized, as indicating studious habits,
and a healthful, manly mind. One great object,
indeed, he had, of what may be termed a holy am-
bition ; it was, that, under Providence, he might
become the support and stay of his aged parents.

It should be mentioned, that, during his under-

14 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

graduate course, he o])taiiied several prizes, for
compositions, in En<ijlish verse, and Latin prose.
Such, however, was liis fastidiousness, or liis mo-
desty, that, in no single instance, did he keep a
copy : not a line of those early productions has
been found amongst his papers ; and there is every
likelihood, that they have altogether perished. But
the recollection of them is still vivid, among his
contemporaries. And it is worthy of being re-
corded, that an Englishman, Dr. Hall *, then
Provost of Trinity College Dublin, and afterwards
(for one short week!) Bishop of Dromore, . .one
of the most accomplished scholars of his day, was
often heard to express his admiration, at the skill
and power evinced, in the composition of Latin
prose, by this extraordinary young man. One
Essay, in particular, he used to say, was so purely
classical, that whole passages might have been taken
from it, and, without risk of detection, inserted in
the works of Cicero, t In English verse, too, his
union of metaphysical and poetical expression, was
truly remarkable. And it has been observed, by
one well acquainted with the early movements of
his mind, that, if he had chosen to concentrate his
powers, in one great poem, on Mental Philosophy,

* George Hall, D. D. : educated at the celebrated gram-
mar-school of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

f From the information of a contemporary.

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 15

he would, perhaps, have been unrivalled, in the
art of clothing the abstractions of metaphysical
science, in language alike elegant, perspicuous, and
familiar.* Happily, however, his mind took an-
other direction.

In the spring of 1810, he commenced A.B.
On that occasion, the Provost and Senior Fellows
adjudged to him the gold medal, then given, not, as
at present, to the best answerer at an examination,
held expressly for the purpose ; but, to that gradu-
ating student, who, throughout the entire previous
course of four years, had evinced the greatest
industry, diligence, and ability.! About the same
time, he obtained the mathematical premium, on
Bishop Law's t foundation, the examiners being
Dr. Magee, Professor of Mathematics (late Arch-
bishop of Dublin) ; Dr. Brinkley, Professor of
Astronomy (now Bishop of Cloyne) ; and Dr.
Davenport, Professor of Natural Philosophy.

* He was fond, though not indiscriminately so, of the Anti-
Lucretius of Cardinal Polignac. See pp. 298. 319., of this
volume. — J. L.

-j- The writer is well aware, that there are difficulties in
the case. Still, however, he begs leave to express his doubts,
whether some modification of the old plan, might not be ad-
vantageously resorted to. It seems desirable, to have some
test, not only of comparative, but of positive merit : not
merely of a superiority, perhaps, accidental, in one great
trial ; but, of an habitual course of continuous, and well-
directed exertion. — J. L.

J John Law, D. D., formerly Bishop of Elphin.

16 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIU

The important period liad now arrived, when
he was to make his choice of life : and, not without
some interval of suspense and deliberation, he
determined to read for a fellowship : an under-
taking, under any circumstances, aiduous in the
extreme ; but, in his case, attended with peculiar
difficulties. Like other candidates, he had the
probability before him (should life be spared) of
devoting six or seven of the prime years of life, to
intense, and perhaps unavailing, application. The
drawbacks, too, of a very delicate constitution,
were to be disregarded, or overcome j while the
daily drudgery of private tuition was to be endured,
not merely for his own support, but, what was a
far dearer object, for the maintenance and comfort
of his aged parents. All this he encountered,
with pious, and persevering equanimity : and,
perhaps, 1 may scarcely be credited, when I state
the fact, that, between reading, and lecturing, he
was commonly occupied, from four o'clock in the
morning, till ten or eleven at night ; while, almost
his single relaxation, was sought in variety of
labour. But, at all times, he evinced so collected
a mind, such disengagedness, animation, and sere-
nity, that it was visible only to the scrutinizing eye
of friendship, how irreparably he was undermin-
ing liis constitution. As matter of duty, his
anxious friends, sometimes, broke in upon his

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 17

abstruse speculations ; but, when, for a short space,
thus compelled to be comparatively idle, he would
always take the interruption in good part : and,
not less to the instruction, than delight of his asso-
ciates, would enter, with freshness and spirit, upon
some literary topic. Nor was he mindful, only,
or chiefly, of his own mental wants and feelings.
Often, with a shade before his weak eyes, his tem-
ples bathed with vinegar, and his mind engaged on
some difficult problem, has he cheerfully paused
from his labours, and, with alacrity, applied himself
to remove the scientific difficulties, not of his
pupils, (that was a distinct duty, to be performed
at stated intervals,) but of some junior friend,
or acquaintance. This was a volunteer service ;
the habit of aiding others, from pure benevolence
of disposition, grew into his very nature : thus it
was at school, from an early period ; nor, in after
life, was there, in this respect, any perceptible dif-
ference.

Throughout the fellowship course, his kind tutor,
Mr. Wall, regarded him, not merely as a friend,
but as a brother. Books, experience, literary
counsel, were ever ready at a call ; his purse, too,
was always generously open ; and he often intreated
that it might be allowed to supersede the necessity,
which the young candidate felt imposed upon him,
of taking private pupils. This aid, offered, as it

VOL. I. b

18 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

was, with most scrupulous delicacy, was sometimes
accepted, with manly freedom ; one restriction,
however, he almost invariably imposed upon him-
self; he would never consent, (unless when himself
wholly unprovided,) to employ the resources, even
of his dearest friends, in aiding his beloved and
respected parents. It was his delight, the purest,
surely, which a pious son can enjoy, to afford as-
sistance, by his own independent exertions, to
those, who, with much difficulty, and self-denial,
had procured for him the benefits and blessings, of
a good early education.

Thus he persevered, for nearly three years, in a
course of well-sustained, though ruinous exertion ;
under which many a more vigorous constitution
must have inevitably sunk : but he was supported,
by the indomitable principle of filial piety. To-
wards the close, however, of the year 1812, his
medical advisers were constrained to make it a
point, that he should intermit some portion of his
daily labours ; and should sleep out of the air of
Dublin. Accordingly, he took a small lodging, at
a moderate distance from his college chambers.
Here it occurred to him, that, if he could obtain
a prize of 50/. then offered by the Royal Irish
Academy, for the best Essay on a given literary
subject, he might, for a time, relieve himself from
the irksome task of private tuition. But, as sue-

OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D. D. IQ

cess was uncertain, he was still obliged to retain
some pupils : and thus, till the period of decision,
his labours were not diminished, but increased.
In the brief interval, then, the hasty moments,
which he could snatch from his daily toil, he
penned his Essay, on the backs of letters, and on
such scraps of paper as might be at hand ; he
walked every evening, (the only exercise he allowed
himself,) to his College-chambers, that he might
give those papers to his brother for transcription ;
and relied on his memory alone, for taking up
the train of thought, each day, where it had been
laid down, the day before. He did not revise, or
even read, the transcript ; and, as this was his first
effort in English prose, he felt so much difficulty,
in arranging his thoughts in our language, that he
actually resorted to the expedient, of first mentally
composing in Latin : so that, the entire Essay, may,
in a great measure, be accounted a translation. It
is given in this volume (pp. 2(i0— 320.) ; therefore,
it is needless for me, to pass a judgment on its
merits. It will, I think, be considered an extra-
ordinary composition, to have been produced
under such circumstances, by a young man of less
than four and twenty ; and its terseness, facility,
and elegance of diction, may, perhaps, best be
accounted for, by the fact, that it was originfilly

b 2

20 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

conceived in Cicero's own language, by a finished
classical scholar. To this Essay, was adjudged the
academy's first prize, in the beginning of 1813.
It may here be mentioned, that, in the earlier part
of 1814, he prepared another successful paper for
the Academy, * On the force of Habit, considered
in conjunction with the Love of Novelty.' This has
not been published in the Transactions ; having,
by some unfortunate mischance, been lost at the
Academy- House. I am told, however, that, both
by Dr. Phelan himself, and by others, it was con-
sidered superior to the Essay of the preceding year.
It showed an uncommon command of language,
and fine metaphysical powers.

But we must return to his great and over-
whelming pursuit. In the year 1813, then, he
offered himself a candidate, ibr one of the fellow-
ships at that time vacant : his preparation was
intense, and his answering, both in quality, and
style, was such, that it excited a very general inter-
est in his behalf. In the interval between the
examination, and the announcement of successful
candidates, scarcely a doubt was entertained, that
he would have been the second fellow. His
friends had, by anticipation, hailed the consumma-
tion of his labours ; and, even his own modest and
retirinc; nature, was unable wholly to withstand

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 21

the popular impression. But the event was
otherwise.*

In the ahiiost certain prospect of success, he
had set apart nearly the whole of that little which
he possessed, for the comfort and accommodation
of his parents ; nor, in the moment of defeat, did
he alter his pious purpose. His words to his bro-
ther, when he recovered from the first shock, are
never to be forgotten : . . ' Well, James, send the
money, nevertheless, to its proper destination : and,
my dear fellow, have a good heart, and a hope
fixed on high ; we shall overcome even this blow.*

A few days after this disappointment, he met
Dr. Gravest, one of his examiners; who, in his

* There were then three vacancies ; the fiUing up of the
first, was beyond all question ; Mr. Purdon had eight voices ;
those of the whole examining body. Respecting the other
two vacancies, there was more difficulty. Tlie examiners
were divided ; and Mr. Phelan was thrown out, by the casting
vote of the Provost. The statute requires, that vacant fel-
lowships shall be filled up, not ' seriatim,' but ' simul et semel' ;
and no provision is made, for ascertaining the value of each
particular vote. Tlie special hardship, which, in this instance,
inevitably grew out of this untoward arrangement, was, that,
had there been but two, instead of three vacancies, Mr. Phelan
must have succeeded. These facts I have from unquestionable
information. It is but proper to add, that there was not the
slightest shadow of unfairness, in the whole transaction. All
arose, from the unhapi)y wording of the statute ; which loudly
calls for alteration. — J. L.

t The late very Rev. Richard Graves, D. D., Dean of
Ardagh : honourably known, by his various theological publi-

b 3

22 lUOGKAl'IIICAL MEMOIR

kind, sympathizing manner, said, . . ' Phelan, I
am sorry for you : but I did my best ; you had my
vote.* He bowed, smiled, and instantly answered,

' Victrix causa Diis placuit, scd victa Catoni' :

The good, and benevolent man, was visibly af-
fected.

At this trying juncture, as, indeed, throughout
the whole course of his varied life. Divine Provi-
dence raised up to him many, and discriminating
friends : among these, was the Right Honourable
A\ illiam Conyngham Plunket, the present Lord
Chancellor of Ireland. The writer well remembers
the ardour, with which Mr. Phelan was accus-
tomed to dilate, on the high intellectual attainments
of that eminent individual. In the family of that
gentleman, he had been repeatedly domesticated ;
having been private tutor to several of his sons : and,
from his familiar conversation, he reaped advan-
tages, which no person was better able to enjoy, and
appreciate, than Mr. Phelan himself. At this season
of disappointment. Lord Plunket came forward, as

cations. May the writer be permitted to add, his humble,
but sincere tribute, to the learning, piety, and goodness, of
this exemplary man ? Towards his latter days, we had, on a
particular question, some trifling difference of judgment. But
I never can forget the impression, made on my youthful
mind, by the mild, but powerfid influence of his unaffected
zeal. — J. L.

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. ^3

an attaclied friend ; he recommended to him the
study of the law; and, till practice should come in,
nobly pressed on him an allowance of 300/. a year.
For this princely offer, he was deeply grateful ; in-
deed, he never forgot it, to his dying day : but, after
mature deliberation, he most thankfully declined it.
In fact, he thought the kindness too great to be
accepted : but, what, with him, was flir more deci-
sive, though, like most young Irishmen of talents,
he had originally a predilection for the bar, . . his
more serious studies had given him another relish ;
and he thought he might be happier, as well as
more useful, in the service of the church.

Amidst his arduous labours, he derived never-
failing supplies of animation, from the fresh and
salient mind of Dr. Magee, afterwards Archbishop
of Dublin. This distinguished scholar, was in the
constant habit of visiting his chambers, inquiring
after his progress, and entering into all the mis-
givings of his sensitive mind. With the office of
speaking, as I feel, of almost my earliest friend ; of
him, who guided my first youthful efforts, and
encouraged the pursuits of my maturer years, I
should fear to trust myself. Therefore, it is with
peculiar satisfaction, that I resort to the anonymous,
but faithful testimony, of a friend ; which I know
had special, though not exclusive reference, to his
affectionate kindness for Mr. Phelan :

b 4

24* BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

* The most engaging instances of his (Archbi-
shop Magee's) ])liilanthropy, were undoubtedly
those, in which he made it his business, and found
it his pleasure, to direct and animate by his advice,
the young men, in whom he perceived any remark-
able degree of ability : while he literally watched
over them, with the affection of a father, he entered
into their views, and concerned himself in their
interests, with the warmth and familiarity of a
friend. Were they desponding ? they were cheered :
were they negligent ? they were counselled : were
they straitened by pecuniary difficulties ? relief
was liberally afforded : did they experience an
embarrassment, in mastering the severer sciences ?
amidst all the cares, and occupations of his laborious
station, assistance never was withheld. Many are
the hours of despondency which hang upon the
spirits of that young man, who, unsupported by
wealth, or patronage, is labouring, by the path of
academic distinction, to attain a reputable independ-
ence. Frequent are the misgivings, which damp
his ardour, in a pursuit, where health, is, not sel-
dom, irrecoverably lost, before the object is accom-
plished : and no one feels with more poignant
bitterness, that ' sickness of the heart,' which arises
from ' hope deferred.' How often has Dr. Magee
passed, from the privacy of his own domestic circle,
to the lonely rooms of the pale and wasted votary

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 25

of science ; and banished, by his benignant pre-
sence, and his cheerful, animating conversation, the
morbid melancholy which was preying on him, and
which, otherwise, might have brought him to an
untimely grave ! How often have the studies,
which were abandoned in disgust, or despair, been
resumed, at his instance, with alacrity and dili-
gence ; and ultimately rewarded, with a success,
which must have been unattainable, but for his
generous and inspiriting encouragement ! '

But a deeply-seated, and, as the event finally
proved, an immedicable wound, had been inflicted
on Mr. Phelan's constitution. The shock given
to his bodily frame, rendered him, for several
months, incapable of any continuous exertion ;
and, at this season of depression, the sole fruit of
his labours was, the second of his prize Essays, for
the Royal Irish Academy.

Towards the commencement of the year 1814,
we find him, again, devoted to severe fellowship
reading. In the month of June, he sat ; and was
defeated, by Thomas Romney Robinson, the most
distinguished of his contemporaries : now DoD.,
and Astronomical Professor, on the foundation of
his namesake, but not his relative. Primate Robin-
son *, at the Observatory of Armagh.

* Lord Rokeby, Archbishop of Armagh : eminent for
princely munificence.

26 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

And, here, it may not be improper, to say a few
words, on the character of Dr. Phelan's mind.

His powers of acquiring knowledge, were of a
peculiar, and very superior quality. He had the
happy faculty of instantly mastering a writer's
meaning : he could instinctively seize on every
thing, in every possible direction, which was of the
least real moment ; he glanced, with the rapidity
of lightning, through the most abstruse, and diffi-
cult volumes ; and his mind seemed invested with a
sort of magical influence, which compelled them
to render up their contents ; and turned, so
to speak, the minds of authors inside out. He
discerned matter, even in the more abstract sci-
ences, which could happily illustrate whatever
might be the immediate object of research. Facts,
and narratives, were to him, that, which the ele-
mentary forms of letters are, to ordinary readers ;
conveying, not so much the impression of them-
selves, as that of the thought, or principle, to-
wards imparting which, they were instrumental.
History, travels, philosophy, and poetry, no less
than matters of strict science, he read with a sa-
gacious, comprehensive spirit ; separating, always,
eternal principles, from the accidents in which they
were rendered visible. And that, which, even to
advanced students, is commonly the result of dis-
tinct, and often of severe reflection, was, in his

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 27

mind, the thing primarily noticed. The matter
professedly studied, was, to him, merely intro-
ductive and subordinate.

He used to complain, that his mind suffered from
mathematical pursuits ; that, when engaged in such
investigations, his finer and more delicate powers
were depressed ; and, that he became disqualified
for the pursuit, of higher and nobler inquiries. But
this, it is humbly conceived, was a mistake ; at
least, he appeared to his friends, always ready to
form a judgment, not only sound and good, but
exquisitely refined, on almost every subject within
the compass of letters : and, indeed, his very fond-
ness for the higher branches of mathematics, is,
in itself, a sufficient refutation of this morbid
apprehension. He was eager for principles, impa-
tient of details : but, at the same time, he subjected
every principle, to the severest possible test ; and
would never admit any position, within the scope
of ratiocination, till it was most incontrovertibly
proved.

All inquiries about light, and heat, had, for him,
a peculiar interest : these qualities seemed, on ac-
count of their extreme tenuity, ever ready to eva-
nesce, till they became almost immaterial. This
predisposition of his mind, may be illustrated, by
a little circumstance, within my own recollection.
During one of the visits with which he indulged me,

28 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

when Rector of Abington, he manifested the most
intense gratification, (even now, I have a lively
image of it present with me,) at Sir Walter Scott's
beautiful fiction of the « White Lady : ' . . * Of all
apparitions,' he said, ' this comes nearest to my
conception of a pure spirit.'

But the pursuits, in which he took unmingled
pleasure, were those of mental and moral philoso-
phy. To these, when fatigued and exhausted by
severer study, he turned with ever-new delight.
On such occasions, he used, with our Platonic Bard,
to exclaim,

* How charming is divine Philosophy !
Not harsh and crabbed, as dull fools suppose;
But musical, as is Apollo's lute,
And a perpetual feast of nectar'd sweets,
Where no crude surfeit reigns.'

In the weak state of his eyes, it was his habit to
read, with the eyes of a friend. In this manner,
he prepared the entire logical, and ethical course,
prescribed for fellowships in Dublin. His friend
particularly mentions the enthusiasm, with which he
used to expatiate on some parts of Cicero's Second
Book, ' De Legibus : ' of Bishops Berkeley, and But-
ler, too, he used to speak highly ; and with com-
placency, of Dr. lleid. He was not so well satis-
fied, with Mr. Locke. To him, the design of this

OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D. D. 29

eminent man, seemed to embrace too little, or too
much : too little, if the understanding alone, . . as
distinguished from the moral mind, imagination,
passions, and affections, . . was the object of his in-
quiry : too much, if the positions for which he
contended, be thought, in themselves, sufficient to
account for all the moral and intellectual phe-
nomena of our nature.

While reading for fellowships, his progress was
unquestionably retarded, by a habit in which he
freely indulged ; which, however, contributed much
to increase, not merely the extent, but the accuracy,
of his knowledge ; and to repress, at once, and
discipline, that fondness for mental anticipation,
which is so apt to beset youthful, and ardent minds.
The habit was, . . ' never to rest satisfied, with the
bare demonstration of a truth.' He wished, so
far as practicable, to know, whence it came, and
whither it was going. He would, therefore, to
the utmost of his power, investigate any import-
ant fact, in all its bearings ; and frequently has he
employed half a day, (a serious expense of time, as
all fellowship-men are perfectly aware,) in tracing
the various deductions, which might legitimately
be drawn from it. His competitors, on the other
hand, were often more prudently, if not so intel-
lectually, employed. They were collecting ma-

30 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

terials, less recondite, indeed, but more immediately
producible ; and their object was, not so much to
lay the foundation for future researches, as to show
themselves competently versed, in tliat, which was
already known. Mr. Phelan could never endure
the thought, of becoming the mere carrier of intel-
lectual burthens. His wish was, so far as might
lawfully be, to lift the veil from nature ; and get
an insight into the wondrous principles, both
natural and moral, on which all-perfect Wisdom
regulates the world. Thus, the very superiority
of his mental powers and attainments, often stood
in his way. He read more like a master, than a
scholar ; more as one, whose own mind was to be
satisfied, than as a person, whose business it was,
to satisfy the minds of others. He looked around
him, with the ken of a philosopher : and he less
assiduously cultivated presence of mind, and fer-
tility of resources, than those subtler processes of
mind, which have ever formed the chosen exercise
of genius. Had the question been, who, of his
contemporaries it was, that possessed the seeds of
powers, most akin to those of the great Discoverers
of Science, or Restorers of Letters, he might, per-
haps, have ranked not greatly beneath the first
men, of our best days. As it was, . . with a nearly
exhausted constitution, broken spirits, and a de-

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 31

bilitcated frame, it is little to be wondered at, that
he was unequal to the arduous conflict : which,
however, he still gallantly sustained.

But, that we may pass to a more grateful topic,
it can be readily understood, that, with a mind
thus stored, and thus disciplined, he must have
been a delightful companion. That, which I have
heard from his early associates, was, in the course
of no slight, superficial intercourse, abundantly
realized to myself. I have rarely met with an indi-
vidual, who, in conversation, so fairly produced
his mind ; or, let me add, whose mind, was more
worthy of production. At the instant, he could
command all the powers of thought, and aids of
learning, to bear on any subject, which they might
properly illustrate ; and, what was more remarkable,
they never failed to come at his bidding. Those,
with whom he was in the habit of familiar inter-
course, will not readily forget the force and ani-
mation of his manner, when he wished to express
himself pointedly, upon any topic, which had seri-
ously occupied his mind. His sentences followed
each other uninterruptedly, and without effort ;
brief, terse, and emphatic : and if, on the spur of
occasion, taken down and made use of, they would
have been found to possess all the elements, of
exact and finished composition. While, there
would occasionally burst from him, the liveliest

32 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

sallies of wit, and not unfrequently, a vein of play-
ful humour, which rendered his conversation, in
its happier hours, (and they were always its quiet
ones,) one of the richest intellectual enjoyments.
Such intercourse could not fail to delight ; for it
was ever natural, ever instructive : and it is still
among my chosen recreations, to recal the days,
and nights, which I have passed in the society of
William Phelan.

His trial for fellowships was now over : to all ap-
pearance, it was interminably closed. But he was
not destitute of consolation. He was conscious, that
he had done his best ; he could not charge himself
with any wilful failure of duty, or any want of per-
severing application ; and he viewed disappoint-
ment itself, as a mode of providential discipline,
which, ' He who careth for us', ever graciously
adapts to our peculiar exigences.

In July, 1814, he proceeded A.M. : and, shortly
after, on the kind and seasonable invitation of his
friend, and former associate on the fellowship
bench, the Rev. J. H. Stubbs, Master of the
endowed school of Dundalk, he became, for a
short time, the guest of that gentleman. An in-
fluential visit, as will afterwards appear : which,
eventually, occasioned a great change, in the pro-
spects and circumstances of his after life. In
the month of October, on the recommendation of

OF WILLIAM niELAN, D. 1). 33

Dr. Magee, then Dean of Cork, he was appointed
second Master of the endowed school of Derry.*
Here, he entered into holy orders ; being ordained
deacon, Dec. 4. 181 i, and priest, Jan. 4. 1815,
by the Lord Bishop of Derry ; and, soon after his
first ordination, began to officiate, in the chapel
of ease of that city, t There, he continued for
upwards of two years ; applying himself diligently,
to the duties of his humble calling ; and devoting
every leisure hour to those sacred studies, which,
even then, constituted his resource, and delight.

* I cannot help mentioning, that at this school, I was edu-
cated, under the Reverend Thomas Marshall, A. M. This
kind and generous man, was the delight of his pupils : and
I never shall forget the tragic impression made on us all,
when, about the autunni of 1790, it pleased God to remove
him. How much I am indebted to his fostering care, I
shall never, in this world, be fully able to appreciate. One
of my earliest efforts, was a boyish, but sincere, tribute to
his memory ; it was an imitation of the ' Quis desidcrio,' &c.
of Horace.

But, to Derry school, and to Horace, I have other, and
far higher obligations. They were the means of introducing
xne to the notice of Alexander Knox, Esquire ; who was
fond of hearing me repeat my lessons, from that most feli-
citous of authors ; he, afterwards, became my guide, philo-
sopher, and friend. From him, in the course of a long
intimacy, I derived principles, which, I trust, will never die.
Obiit, eheu! Jun. 18. 1831. — J. L.

f His appointment, at the salary of ^50. a year, is dated
Dec. 27. 1814. : of which salary, he was never paid a single
shilling ; though he served the chaplaincy, without intermis-
sion, till March, 1817-

VOL. I. C

31 BIOGRArmCAL MEMOIR

He thus disturbed the repose of a few valuable old
volumes, in tlie diocesan library ; though, of the
time occupied in this manner, there is, probably,
no written record. But his was a mind, which
was never idle ; and, to such information as he
already possessed, there is a moral certainty, that,
at this period, he added extensively. In the month
of August, 181(i, it should be mentioned, he was,
with some apparent hopes of success, a candidate
for the endowed school, or college, of Kilkenny.

About this period, the writer had the happiness
to form an acquaintance with Mr. Phelan, which,
at no distant day, ripened into friendship. A va-
lued contemporary of his *, had, some time pre-
viously, told me several interesting anecdotes of his
early life : and put into my hands, at the Rectory
of Abington, his prize Essay, * On Scientific and
Literary Pursuits.* I was, therefore, duly pre-
pared to appreciate a singularly modest, unpre-
tending letter, which he addressed to me from
Derry; bearing date the 14th of December, 1816.
It now lies open before me : and it could not fliil
to rekindle, were they dormant, which, happily,
they never have been, the liveliest feelings of
interest, in himself, his mind, and his pursuits.
Like every other production of his pen, which it

* The Rev. Ricliarcl Ryan.

OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D.D. 35

has been my fortune to see, (for in his instance, to
see, and to read, were identical,) it is clothed in
language, alike natural, manly, and independent.
The object of it, was, to ascertain how far his
judgment and mine might coincide, respecting
the eligibility of his publishing a short treatise,
which he was then preparing, on the subject of the
Bible Society. As to the general bearings of that
question, my feelings are, elsewhere, briefly stated.*
In conformity with opinions, which I had early
formed, and from which I have never swerved,
I ventured to suggest, that his mental powers
would be employed far more advantageously, on
some great original work, than upon what, must,
after all, rank as a mere temporary pamphlet. My
reasons, however, failed, to have quite so much
weight with Mr. Phelan, at the time, as they may,
perhaps, have subsequently had. He, accordingly,
published, not immediately, (for a very serious
occupation intervened) but in the autumn of the
next year, his able tract ; powerful in its reasoning,
though I never have been able to see the practical
wisdom of its publication ; ■kolvtol [xoi s^ea-riv, aXX'
ot> TTOLVTo, o-L»ju,cb£^£i. It was entitled * The Bible, not
the Bible Society.* This work, greatly praised,
and not good-naturedly vituperated, was, for a
long while, the alternate mark of reprobation and

* Practical Theology, vol. ii. p. 70.
c 2

36 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

panegyric : and, in its immediate, and, yet more,
in its remote consequences, it gave a colouring,
nearly to the vvliole of Mr. Phelan's apparent
future life : but, happily, he had another, and a
better life, which was * hid with Christ in God.'

To the world, he was chiefly kno>\Ti as a pole-
mical writer ; indeed, it is probable that many of
his contemporaries have heard of him in that capa-
city alone. And, it must be confessed, that, hither-
to, from unhappy circumstances, there has been, in
Ireland, but little opportunity, and, if possible, less
encouragement, for theological learning. While,
under a proper system, and with wise selection,
eminent examples of it might have been multiplied,
to the unspeakable advantage both of church and
country. But, in fact, though some ephemeral
stimulus to exertion, may have occasionally been
applied, it is a melancholy truth, that the flip-
pant pamphlet, and slight brochure, (of merit
very different, indeed, from the slightest efforts
of Mr. Phelan,) have been generally thought, a far
more marketable commodity, than any solid work
of genius, piety, or learning.

But his was, in truth, a far loftier spirit : he
predominantly loved the high and lonely walk.
His most current, popular productions, occupied
but a small portion of his time, and less of his
thoughts. And they, who have enjoyed his confi-

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 37

dence the longest, and most unreservedly, are best
avvure, on themes how different from the vulgar
cant of the day, it was his delight to expatiate.
For my own part, I can safely say, that, in all our
years of friendly intercourse, he never uttered a
syllable, whether grave or gay, which did not, as
was said of Archbishop Leighton, more or less
directly tend to edification. Indeed, if I had not
intimately known, that he was something far other,
and better, than an expert controversialist, I will
candidly own, tliat the present memoir should not
have been written. This fore-dated disclosure will,
I trust, exempt me from all, but the bare mention
of his chief polemical tracts, in the order of publi-
cation. They were written merely ex Tra^e^you,
called forth by the seeming exigencies of the times :
but he was living centrally, for eternity,

* And all his serious thoughts had rest in Heaven.'

We may, now, revert to Mr. Phelan's more pri-
vate concerns. He had long been in a very deli-
cate state of health ; and his physicians thought
it might be expedient, that he should try the air
of Mallow, in the county of Cork. Symptoms,
however, seemingly improved : and as, on several
accounts, such an excursion must have been incon-
venient, it was not, under this favourable change,
at that time undertaken.

c 3

38 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

Meimwliile, he was, unexpectedly, summonetl to
a wider sphere. Towards the close of March,
181 7, his vigilant friend. Dr. Wall, strongly urged
that he should, forthwith, come to Dublin, and
again sit for a fellowship ; of which, there were, at
that time, two to be filled up. All his friends,
none more earnestly than Dr. Magee, were, also,
instant in their intreaties. Therefore, after nearly
three years' alienation from academical pursuits, and
about six weeks before the day of trial, he came
to the scene of action. His first visit was to the
college chambers of a friend : * Well,* said he,
* here I am ; and what do you want with me ?' . .
< We want you,' was the reply, * to get a fellow-
ship.' He looked perplexed, and anxious. He
was almost certain, that, within the space of six
short weeks, it was hopeless that he should regain
so much lost ground. Besides, a great additional
weight of science had been thrown into the course :
especially the whole system of French Analysis ; to
which he was nearly a total stranger. To work,
however, he went ; and, with that vigour and
intensity, which seemed inseparable from his being.
And what was the consequence ? Difliculties, like
a 'frost-work,' suddenly * melted away'* before
him ; and he was unanimously elected a Fellow of
Trinity College, Dublin.

* Rogers : ' Pleasures of Memory.'

OF WILLIA:\I PIIELAX, D. D. 39

During the short, but arduous course of imme-
diate preparation, he withdrew, to the adjacent vil-
lage of Dundrum ; and there, lie was affectionately
watched, and cheered, by his early and unchanging
friend, the Rev. Richard Ryan.

His own account of the transaction, is remark-
able for its simplicity, and candour ; it is derived
from two of his letters, written at the very time.
Short extracts from them, will, probably, interest
the reader. * April 12. I8I7. I am going in
again, for fellowships : not from any hope, nor,
indeed, from any wish, to succeed ; but merely
because I want money,' [clearly to relieve his
parents ; for his personal expenses were small, and
his prudence was great : J and I think it just pos-
sible, that I may get the first premium. Three
weeks ago, I formed this resolution ; and I have
now six weeks to read.* Three days after the
termination of the conflict, he again writes :
* June 5. By a caprice of fortune, entirely unex-
pected, I am now a fellow. The answering, you
may suppose, was but indifferent ; when, aftei
three years' cessation, I was considered the best
answerer.' Such w^as his own modest estimate ;
ever apt to undervalue his mental attainments : but
it was happily corrected, by the public voice ; his
very friends, too, the jealous guardians of his good

c 4

K) BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

repute, were abundantly satisfied ; not by his suc-
cess merely, but especially at the manner of it.

He was, by the blessing of God, on his own
exertions, now placed in a station of permanent
independence : certain of an income, moderate,
indeed, but competent ; and having the fair pros-
pect of attaining, at no remote period, what to him
would be affluence. But his mind was raised
above all selfish considerations ; now, as formerly,
his parents were foremost in his thoughts ; and
the path which he marked out for himself, was one
of unassuming privacy. During the long vacation,
he sought that repose, which his wearied mind re-
quired ; he had done much, in a little time : and
it was not till October, I8I7, that he gave to
the press, that pamphlet, which he had prepared
at Derry. Thenceforward, his time was chiefly
divided betwoen private study, and his college
duties.

In November, 1818, he was elected Donnellan
Lecturer ; and preached the first sermon of his
course, on Trinity Sunday, 18iy. The manner,
and general purpose of these lectures, will be suf-
ficiently explained, by the following extract, from
the Registry of Trin. Coll. Dublin : . .

* Februaiy 22. 1704.
* Whereas, a legacy of 1213/. has been bequeathed
to the College of Dublin, by Mrs. Anne Don-

OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D.D. 41

ncllan, for the encouragement of religion, learn-
ing, and good manners, the particular mode of
application being entrusted to the Provost, and
Senior Fellows :

* Resolved,

' 1 . That a Divinity Lecture, to which shall be
annexed a salary, arising from the interest of 1200/.,
shall be established for ever, to be called Donnel-
lan's Lecture.

* 2. That the Lecturer shall be forthwith elected,
from among the Fellows of said College : and
hereafter, annually, on the 20th November.

* 3. That the subject, or subjects, of the Lecture,
shall be determined at the time of election, by the
Board ; to be treated in six sermons ; which shall
be delivered in the College Chapel, immediately
after morning service, on certain Sundays, to be
appointed on the 20th of November, next after
the election of the Lecturer, and within a year from
the said appointment.

* 4. That one moiety of the interest of the said
1200/. shall be paid to the Lecturer, as soon as he
shall have delivered the whole number of lectures ;
and the other moiety, as soon as he shall have pub-
lished four of the said lectures : one copy, to be
deposited in the Library of the College ; one, in
the Library of Armagh ; one, in the Library of
St. Sepulchre ■■, one, to be given to the Chancellor

42 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

of tlie University ; and one to the Provost of the
College.'

This foundation, unquestionably well-intended,
has failed, nevertheless, to render all the service,
which originally was designed. Since its establish-
ment, upwards of eight and thirty years have
elapsed : how many volumes have, in consequence,
been published? how many sermons have been
preached ? The fact is, an original error seems to
have taken place, in limiting the field of the Don-
nellan Lectures, to the narrow circle of existing
Fellows ; seven seniors ; and fifteen (afterwards
increased to eighteen) juniors ; three, at least, of
whom, are statutably laymen. These able men
are all fully and laboriously occupied, in the go-
vernment, or education, of fifteen hundred under-
graduates ; and the inevitable consequence has been,
that few candidates have proffered themselves, for
the office of Donnellan Lecturer.* The remedy,

* On a former occasion, the writer used language nearly
similar ; which he here takes the liberty of citing : ' In
Ireland, wc have, unfortunately, not abounded in magnifi-
cent patrons of learning. The University of Dublin was
founded at a period, when the zeal for thus [by foundations,
benefactions, &c.] promoting good letters, had gone by.
Accordingly we have but one College, one Provost, and
twenty-five Fellows, for the education of about fifteen hun-
dred undcr-graduates. These twenty-six very learned men,
who attained their present honourable rank, after years of
intense study, and through the most arduous literary com-

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 43

in this case, seems natural and easy. Why not throw
the field of selection open, (as in the Bampton
Lecture Sermons, at Oxford, and the liulsean
Lectures, and office of Christian Advocate, at
Cambridge,) to all persons who have taken the
degree of Master of Arts. The present excellent
Christian Advocate of the latter University, never
was a Fellow. This suggestion is thrown out, in
ardent, but, it is hoped, not ill-regulated zeal, at
once for the credit of the College, and for the ad-
vancement of good letters in Ireland. The Uni-
versity, and the Country at large, ought, in various
respects, to be drawn more closely together : and,
from a proper intercourse, and community of feel-
ing, great benefits might, at no distant day, event-
ually arise to both of them. But we must pursue
our more immediate subject.

Dr. Phelan, if his health, which was always deli-
cate, be excepted, was well-circumstanced, for close
application to this additional duty. So young
among the Fellows, he had few pupils ; for whom,
indeed, neither directly, nor indirectly, neither by

petition in the world, have upon their shoulders, the in-
struction and government of fifteen hundred young men :
and, thus occupied, they certainly have little redundant
time, for the pleasures, and the pains of Authorship.' —
Bishop of Limerick's Speech in the House of Lords, June
10. 1824.

44i BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

himself", nor by his friends, did he ever think it
right to seek. He had full leisure, therefore, for
his favourite pursuits. His mind always had a
predilection for inquiries, addressed, at once, to the
intellectual, and moral man : and he loved to re-
gard the deeper, and more mysterious truths of
Christianity, as, not merely, on proof given of their
divine authority, to be implicitly received, and
venerated ; but, much more, as indispensable parts
of a divine system, provided by the comprehensive
and all -gracious wisdom of God, for the renewal,
enlargement, and purification of our spiritual being.
He sought, therefore, to exhibit, the Christian
scheme, in such a manner, as might best show its
correspondence, in all its parts, to the wants and
anticipations of human nature. His lectures, ac-
cordingly, may, in some sort, be regarded, as an
effort to describe the physiology of Revealed Re-
ligion. Others have carefully examined facts, and
doctrines ; and discussed their evidence, according
to the dictates of forensic pleading : he, on the con-
trary, was more solicitous to discover, what may be
termed, the functions of those facts and doctrines.
It is one thing, for example, to establish the doc-
trine of the Trinity, by alleging the various pas-
sages of Holy AVrit, in which it is more or less
distinctly revealed. It is another, and, perhaps, a
yet more important office, to show, that this mys-

OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D.D. 45

terious, yet infinitely practical doctrine, is precisely
such a revelation of the Divine Nature, as could,
alone, enable man to accomplish the great pur-
poses, for which he was called into existence. By
the one line of argument, the timid believer may
be persuaded, that his Christianity is true ; by the
other, the candid sceptic may be convinced, that
it is reasonable and just. The judgment is thus
satisfied, through the previous conviction of the
moral sense ; and, from the congruity between
ends and means, between the weakness of man,
and the sufficiency of God, the facts and doctrines,
which may, once, have appeared, not merely above
reason, but contrary to it, will, at once, be found,
harmonious in their operation, and, so to speak, in
their nature necessary.

Such was the lofty argument, which habitually
occupied Dr. Phelan's mind ; and which he sought
to embody, in the Donnellan Lectures. How far
he may have succeeded, in the application of these
principles, and in all the resulting details, it re-
mains for the judgment of competent and medi-
tative readers, to determine. But all such are, at
the same time, intreated, habitually to keep in
mind, that the present publication, is a posthu-
mous one ; that, had life and health been spared
to the Author, he would have explained, and sup-
ported his theory, by extensive researches, both

46 RTOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

ancient and modern j that a copious body of ma-
terials even now exists, among his papers, not only
unused, l)ut, from imperfect references, quite un-
usable ; and, that, had his own acute, and compre-
hensive mind, presided over a full exhibition of that
scheme, which, for many years, he had meditated
and planned, the result must have been far different,
from any thing which is now brought forward.*
But, especially in his later years, infirmities were
gathering fast upon him : in one letter to a friend, he
writes, ' for some months back, I have been hearing
with one ear, and seeing with one eye : ' in another,
what now seems like the language of solemn antici-
pation, * The abortive Donnellans lie in my col-
lege-desk J not to be disturbed again, at least, not
by my hands.* This sacred, and, he will add, this
delightful duty, has unexpectedly fallen, into other,
and, the writer fears, very incompetent hands :
but this he can say, with perfect truth, that, if he
were not convinced of the value, and importance,
of these papers, he would never have proposed to
undertake, what, to him, has proved a source of
unmingled satisfaction, the office of their Editor.

About this time, Mr. Pliclan became one of the
six university preachers. He was not what is called

* The publication of Dr. Phelan's Donnellan Lectures
had been delayed ; in the hope, that the Author might be
enabled to bring them out, with the advantage of extensive
notes and references.

OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D.D. 47

an orator, in the popular sense of the word : but he
was a much better thing ; a cahn, deliberate, and
singularly impressive preacher. His voice was far
from strong, or powerful ; its volume was thin, and
its compass very limited ; but its tones were clear,
animated, and flexible : his enunciation was distinct
and solemn ; his face, when he was preaching, as
when he was familiarly conversing, bore the stamp
of zeal, earnestness, and pure affection. He
thought that the natural variations of the eye,
voice, and countenance, were the sole legitimate
kind of action : the only one, suitable to the dig-
nity of the pulpit. And the combined effect of
his manner, his delivery, and that truth of cha-
racter, which the most eloquent words, in them-
selves, altogether fail to convey, was, that, as
Archdeacon Churton has beautifully said of Dr.
Townson, . . * You would pledge your soul on his
sincerity : you were sure, there was nothing he
longed for so fervently, as your salvation.'

Ten of the discourses thus preached, are given
as specimens of Dr. Phelan's peculiar manner.
They were not prepared by him for the press ; and
were composed in the ordinary discharge of his
duty, as university preacher. Their matter, though
perfectly practical and familiar, is distinguished,
amidst all its simplicity, by the same profundity of
thought, which characterizes his Donnellaii Lee-

48 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

tures. While, in manner, they afford the liappiest
specimen, of united ease, and vigour ; of acute
reasoning, and affectionate familiarity. But their
great charm is, a certain air of reality, which every
where pervades them : they insensibly twine around
our hearts ; and, without the least effort at exhi-
bition, of which, indeed, he had not the remotest
thought, they set us at home, in the very scenes
and circumstances, which they cause to rise gra-
phically before us. Of our Lord's general charac-
ter, especially as it may be * pondered' * out of
the first few glimpses of his early life, the young
preacher had a deep, and strong impression : and
what he felt acutely for himself, he never failed to
impress vividly on others. Of the discourses,
those entitled ' Christ in the temple', * Few
notices of Christ's early Life', ' Jesus at Cana,'
and those which immediately follow, to the Seventh
Discourse inclusive, appear to the Editor, as,
he doubts not, they will do to the reader, full
of just, discriminative, and original observation :
and, even in their present unfinished form, seem
entitled fairly to take their place, (no common
praise,) beside Dr. Townson's exquisite Sermon,
* On our Lord's manner of teaching.'

It would be alike unjust, and injudicious, to
forestall the reader's interest, by any detailed notice

* S. Luke, ii. 19.

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 49

of this portion of tlie ' Remains.' But, from
amidst various passages of great interest and beauty,
it seems right to select one or two brief specimens,
which may, in some degree, illustrate the style and
power of Dr. Phelan's mind ; and, as the writer
thinks, the abiding influence of early circumstances
upon it.

Very early in his first discourse, he has, with
peculiar felicity, applied his knowledge and expe-
rience of humble life, to the elucidation of our
Lord's visit, in childhood, to Jerusalem, and its
holy Temple. In treating of that remarkable oc-
currence, to which Saint Luke (chap. ii. ver. 4G.)
refers, Dr. Plielan observes, that, * The first cir-
cumstance which should be noted, is, the kindly and
sociable spirit of the child Jesus. It is acknow-
ledged, that, in the course of his public ministry,
our Lord manifests a cordiality towards mankind,
second only, to that unreserved devotement, with
which he had surrendered himself to the business
of his heavenly Father. And we may perceive,
from the circumstances now before us, that this gra-
cious disposition was the impulse of his tenderest,
as well as the habit of his most mature years :
' As they returned,' says the Evangelist, ' the
child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem ; and Jo-
seph, and his mother, knew not of it ; but, sup-
posing him to be in the company, tliey went a

e

,00 BIOGUAIMIKAL MEMOIK

(lay's journey ; and they souglit liim among their
kinsfolk, and acquaintance/ No sooner do they
miss tlieir precious charge, than they conclude,
that he had mingled with the companions of their
journey. This persuasion is no less firm, than it
was instantaneous ; they travel a whole day, with-
out faltering in their assurance. At length, they
go in quest of him ; and where do they search ? Not
in solitude, or in secrecy ; not, as they might have
done for the austere Baptist, in a wilderness.
They seek him, among their kinsfolk, and acquaint-
ance, among persons, whose intimacy is generally
more unreserved, in proportion to the humility of
their rank in life ; and who were then, as we may
suppose, beguiling the fatigues of a toilsome journey,
by the free and playful interchange of confidential
conversation. Now, we cannot imagine, that Joseph
and his mother, were careless of the treasure com-
mitted to their keeping ; or, that, in their search
for him, they were guided by no surer principle,
than indiscriminating surmise. Their conviction,
that he had mingled with their friends, was natural,
and reasonable ; but it could not have been so, had
it not been suggested by his ordinary conduct.*
pajre 127, 128.

He thus beautifully touches on the poverty of
the blessed Jesus : . .

* We are, rrenerally, and incidentally, given

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 51

to understand, that our Lord was poor ; yet, no
images are presented to us, which can excite mean
and vulgar associations. There are, perhaps, only
two instances, in which his poverty is pictured
distinctly to the mind. These are, the scene
of his nativity, and that mournful expression of
his, that he had ' not where to lay his head.*
Now, in the first of these cases, the associated
ideas, are all even of unearthly magnificence ;
the stable of Bethlehem, is transformed into a holy
tabernacle, where the wise and great come to offer
their incense, and angels themselves, attend, in
humble ministration. And, as for the pathetic
expression of the son of man, there is a majesty
in its pathos, which exalts our conception of the
moral sublime. We hear nothing, but what is fit
to fall from the lips of persecuted royalty ; we
see nothing, save what a wise heathen, has pro-
nounced the noblest sight, even for God to see, . .
a great and good man rising superior to adversity. '
Disc. iii. p. 1()0, l6l.

The susceptibility of our Lord, unmingled with
a single shade of weakness, is pictured, with hap})y
discrimination : . .

' In the most highly gifted among men, that
temperament, by which the soul is softened, to
imbibe the influence of genius or of sensibility,
generally weakens the severer moral powers. In

e 2

52 BIOGRArillC AL MEMOIR

Christ alone, botli arc united, in their full perfec-
tion. He feels all our infirmities, yet he yields to
none. He, no less than John the Baptist, is in-
clined to lonely meditation. He does not disdain
to contemplate, even the lilies of the field ; yet, he
can move unwearied and undisturbed, amidst the
tumults, and anxieties of public life. Unlike John,
he is courteous : but his is, always, the courtesy of
a superior being ; the serene grandeur of sovereign
dominion. He calls, and public officers rise and
follow him : he appears, and rich young men kneel
down to him, and call him master : he comes into
the synagogue of his own town, and the eyes of all
the congregation are fastened upon him : he is
silent, and no man durst question him : he speaks,
and the people wonder at the gracious words which
proceed out of his mouth.* Disc. iv. p. 175.

How these passages, (and, in the discourses of
Mr. Phelan, there are many such,) may affect the
reader, it is impossible to predict. To the editor,
it must be owned, they appear the mingled growth,
of native temperament, of indigenous habit, and,
he will add, of the triumphant grace of God. At
an early period of this memoir, it was intimated,
that the subject of it was ' never vulgarized,' that,
he was, in principle and manners, ' a native gentle-
man.' I will now add, from long experience and
observation, that he became more, and more, a

OF WILLIAM THELAN, U. D. 5b

devoted, but a happy christian : and my wish,
serious as though it were my hist one, is, . . Sit
mea anima cum Phelano !

It now seems proper to revert to Dr. Phehm's
state of feeling, on the occasion of fellowship -exa-
minations in 18 17. From the extracts already
given, of his correspondence (p. 39.), it is evident,
that he was neither sanguine in his hopes, nor
elated by his success. To some, indeed, it may
almost appear, that he had attained, or affected,
the tranquillity of stoical indifference. Far differ-
ent, however, was the real case : and, in order to
place it fairly before the reader, we must recur to
other passages of the same letters. In that of
April 12., he tells his friend, ' I am not happy :
nor can a fellowship make me so :' . . and, on
June 5., three days after having apparently realized
his most ardent hopes, he emphatically writes, . .
* At present, I feel myself very far from happy.'
The fact is, (and this will, at once, explain all
seeming contradictions,) that, during his visit to
Dundalk (p. 32.), his affections had been irrevoc-
ably engaged, to a sister of his friendly host. And,
although, during his continuance in Londonderry,
prudence, and principle, and voluntary devotedness
to his parents, allowed him not to think of an im-
mediate marriage, . . yet, he was not without
hopes, that some settlement might offer, compa-
e 3

54 1510Gl'tAriII(-AL MEMOIR

tible with the attainment of his dearest wishes. It
is not wonderful, then, that a fellowship, which,
so long as it should be retained, must, probably,
doom him to hopeless celibacy, was any thing rather
than an object of complacency, or self-gratulation.
He literally, therefore, had not wished to succeed.
And, when, most unexpectedly, his efforts were
crowned with success, his great object was, if prac-
ticable, to emancipate himself, by a royal dispen-
sation. To accomplish this purpose, powerful
efforts, were, at different times, fruitlessly em^
ployed. But the sudden death of the young lady's
natural protector, determined him, at all hazards,
to resign his fellowship, and fulfil his honourable
engagement. Accordingly, on the eighteenth of
May, eighteen hundred and twenty-three, he was
married, on the licence of the Lord Bishop of Ferns,
to Miss Margaret Stubbs, by her brother, the Re-
verend J. H. Stubbs, Vicar of Kilmacahill, in the
church of that parish. Within the time specified by
law, he subsequently resigned his fellowship, on the
twelfth of August, in the same year ; having re-
ceived, from the Provost and Senior Fellows, a gene-
rous engagement, to extend to him the future privi-
lege, of option to a college-living. Nor, should it be
omitted, for it is highly to their honour, that the
Junior Fellows voluntarily relinquished their
claims, to any emolument accruing from his late

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 55

pupils ; not only, for the remainder of the current
year, but, so long as they might continue their
names upon the college books.*

The connection thus disinterestedly formed,
greatly augmented his happiness : and probably,
also, contributed to the extension of his short, bat
valuable life. His delicate health demanded the most
tender care ; and this, Mrs. Phelan delighted to
administer, with all that noiseless assiduity, wiiich
attends every step and movement of an affectionate
female. Her principles, tastes, and habits, were in
complete accordance with his own ; and, for years
before their marriage,- she had been the faithful
depositary of his inmost thoughts, and feelings.
But the privacy of such a correspondence, is too
sacred a thing, to be needlessly violated ; fragments
of but one letter, have been committed to the
writer; and, as these are, at once, beautifully simple,
and throw a vivid light upon some particulars of
his life and character, . . I shall give them without
scruple. They seem to have been written, from
his native town, or its immediate vicinity ; and I
envy not the heart of that man, who can read
them, without emotions that he would wish to
cherish for ever : . .

* For this fact, I am indebted to the information of the
Rev. Dr. Wall ; at that time Junior Bursar. The sum thus
liberally ceded, was above 900/.— J. L.

e 4

56 IMOGHAPIIICAL MEMOIR

.... * Have you not remarked, that the reli-
gious world, is, after all, the world : and has the
scripture marks of the world about it ? It is, con-
stantly, substituting things external, and adventi-
tious, for things internal, and essential. A dogma,
or a ceremony, or a public meeting, or any thing
else that the times may countenance, is sure to take
the lead, of * Righteousness, and peace, and Joy
in the Holy Ghost.'

* In the more immediate circle, at present, of
the church establishment, . . a dogma is the rage.
Did it ever occur to you, to note the opposite con-
duct of our Lord, in regulating his family ? No less
than four times, in the first three chapters of St.
Luke, it is said, that his mother and Joseph did
not know the import of expressions, relating to
him and his kingdom. We are not told, that he
even gave them any particular information. In
general, it is to be observed, that the truths, facts,
and persons, of the Gospel, are revealed to us, as
objects of the affections : they are addressed to the
intellect, only so far, as every object of the soul
must pass through the perceptive powers to the
heart ; when there, they are at home, no matter
how they effect the passage. All dogmatists pass
their time in examining, and, as they think, re-
pairing, the road to the intellect, and getting pre-
sentiments for short cuts, &c. &c. Thus, like our

or WILLIAM PHELAX, D. U. 57

Irish highways, they are always a repairing^ never
in repair. Meanwhile, the heart is cut off from
all valuable communication, with that gracious, but
mysterious Being, who is, 'a God, that hideth
himself indeed, from ill-directed inquiries, but
who delights to abide, with the humble and contrite
spirit, ' full of grace and truth.'

Such, I firmly believe, was his indwelling with
your father : it was not manifested, by any direct
exhibition of religion ; but it was known by its
effects ; known, as a refreshing and purifying
essence, which makes an atmosphere of sweet-
ness, around the place where it is concealed.

' Cherish, then, those feelings about your
father ; which become you, equally, as a child, and
as a christian. In the present trying moments,
they will console you : and, through life, they will
serve as those auxiliary lights, which the gracious
order of Providence kindles, from time to time, for
the guidance of the pure in spirit ; so that, they
count it all joy, when they fall into tribulation.

' There is one quality, both of my mind, and of
my heart, to which, I do not believe, you have
much adverted ; that is, their youthfalness : they
promise to grow ; to shoot out blossoms and fruits,
for years to come. And, even in that stage, when
nature shall indicate, that we are shortly to remove

58 BIOGRAPHICAL ME.MOIR

to another state of being, 1 trust, that I shall
still retain a buoyancy of spirit.

* The most grateful moments I can enjoy, are
those, in which I feel myself of value, to the few
whom I really love. The feelings I have towards
that dear old man my Father, are experienced, I
believe, by very few sons ; at least, by none that I
ever knew, to the same degree. And, I cannot
describe to you the delight I felt, when I saw his
face tinged, again, with the freshness which I used
to observe on it, in my childhood.

' I have been travelling these one-and-twenty
years, and never saw so rich a harvest ; it is called
a war-harvest : the common people having a per-
suasion, that pre-eminently good seasons introduce
war, or some other calamity. 8uch is their theory
of the balancing of good and evil, in this wady-
buccady * world.

* The character of the people, in this country,
appears to most advantage, in times of calamity.
When above immediate want, their vivacity is apt

* See- saw, up-and-down : a game, in which two persons,
seated on the extreme ends of a long piece of timber, sup-
ported, in the centre, by a fulcrum, at once, balance each
other, and are alternately elevated and depressed, by that
motion which they communicate.

OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D. D. 59

to become insolent ; and their proud spirit breaks
into turbulence. But, in distress, the common
Irishman is meek as Moses. The loss of health,
wealth, friends, all, in a word, that our nature
deems most valuable, is met by him, with the ejacu-
lation, . . * Welcome be the grace of God.' They
see the correcting hand of providence, in every
visitation ; and receive it, as an act of mercy.*

On finally leaving College, in August 1823.,
Mr. Phelan's first settlement, was, at the curacy
of Keady, in the Diocese of Armagh. This
situation, had, for several months, been kept open
for him, by the kindness of the Lord Primate :
and gave promise of that literary leisure, which he
keenly relished, but never allowed to run to waste.
* Here,' said he, to an early intimate*, ' I can
complete my attainments, as a scholar and divine :
all that I want, is a library.'

Just at this time, however, the Professorship of
Astronomy at Armagh, became vacant ; for this
situation. Dr. Phelan thought it right to apply :
but he learned, that, two days before, it had been
conferred on Dr. Robinson. At this appointment,
he was far from repining : on the contrary, he was
satisfied, that it did the Primate much honour. In

* The Rev. Richard Ryan.

(iO BIOGRAPHICAL MK.MOIll

tliiit particular department, Dr. Robinson's repu-
tation stood, unquestionably, at the very highest :
and the choice has been amply accredited, by the
opinion of scientific Europe.*

Mr. Phelan's habits had, hitherto, been those of
a severe student. And he was better calculated
for the literary and preceptive, than for the more
active departments of his calling. His health was
exceedingly infirm ; and he was often unequal to
those laborious out-of-door exertions, the vast im-
portance of which he strongly felt. But his best
energies were faithfully devoted to the spiritual
improvement of his flock. He had, hitherto,
appeared in the pulpit, almost exclusively, before
a learned audience. And his discourses had been
adapted, always, to satisfy the requirements, of cul-
tivated minds ; and often, to rivet the attention,
of profound thinkers. It now became his duty, to
adopt a different style of preaching. And it is an
encouraging fact, to all persons similarly circum-
stanced, that, in adjusting his discourses to the
capacity of his humble congregation, he was quite
successful. He had not, formerly, been more re-
markable for the eloquence of thought, than he
now became for primitive simplicity. He seemed

* The Observations of" Dr. Robinson, have been more
numerous, and have excited greater attention, than those
made at any other Observatory, within the same period.

or WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 6l

to preach under the habitual conviction, that * A
pastor is the deputy of Christ, for the reducing of
man, to the obedience of God.' *

On ordinary occasions, it was not his habit to
commit to writing the entire of his sermons ; he
used, merely, to note down his principal topics ;
for he felt, that a northern congregation especially,
would be more interested and impressed, by con-
ceptions, reduced, at the moment, to words, than
it could have been, by any more elaborate process
of composition. But his discourses were quite
free, from the usual defects of extemporaneous
addresses.t The thoughts were always lucidly ar-
ranged ; for the subject-matter had been thoroughly
digested. He never ascended the pulpit, without
an awful sense of ministerial responsibility ; nor,
willingly left it, without having enforced, at least,
some one religious truth, in a novel and interesting
manner. His learning was so attempered by sua-

* George Herbert. Country Parson.

t ' In this whole discourse, [the Sermon on the Mount],'
said Mr. Wesley, ' we cannot but observe, the most exact
method, that can possibly be conceived. Every paragraph,
every sentence, is closely connected, both with that which
precedes, and that which follows it. And, is not this the
pattern, for every Christian preacher? If any, then, are
able to follow it, without any premeditation, . . well. If not,
. . let them not dare to preach, without it. No rhapsody, no
incohercncy, [whether the things spoken, be true or false,]
comes of the spirit of Christ.'

62 BIOGRAPHICAL MEM OIK

vity, that the people delighted in him, as a teacher ;
while his parental concern for their welfare, en-
deared him to them, as the tenderest of friends.

With true humility of mind, he united a strong,
and even lofty spirit of independence. He loved,
rather to confer, than to receive, a benefit ; and
could, with difficulty, be induced to incur a per-
sonal obligation. This the Primate well knew :
while, at the same time, he was apprehensive, that
on moving to the curacy of Keady, Mr. Phelan
must necessarily require some pecuniary aid. He,
accordingly, took an early opportunity, of calling
at the curate's humble residence ; and, after some
general conversation, delicately hinted at the ex-
pences, which must, almost inevitably, beset a new-
married man ; expressing a hope, that he might be
permitted to become his banker. Mr. P., with
very fervent acknowledgements, assured his Grace,
that he did not, at that time, stand in need of such
assistance ; but promised, that, should any emer-
gency arise, he would, without hesitation, avail him-
self of it. The Primate, still persevered : ' You
cannot,' said he, ' be aware, how many demands on
your purse must now be answered ; Mrs. Phelan,
too, must want several articles of comfort, which
your present means may not be able to supply.'
Mr. P. respectfully declared, 'That he was un-
conscious of any want, for which he was not already

OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D. D. 63

provided.'. . 'Come, Phelan,' says the Primate, 'you
must want a horse.' The reply was, ' My Lord, I
have two.' . . ' Well, then,' his Grace added, ' you
will excuse my importunity, . . but, . . the remittance
to your father, have you thought of that ?' . . ' My
Lord,' said Phelan, the tears of gratitude in his
eyes, ' I have not forgotten him ; before leaving
Dublin, I took care that he should not want.'*

These last, were far from words of course : in a
confidential letter to a friend, dated August 18.
1 823, he thus unbosoms himself : . . ' If I have
means enough to continue my usual allowance to
my father, I am perfectly satisfied.'

* Filial piety,' it has been said, at the commence-
ment of this memoir, ' was, with him, almost an
instinct.' And the fact is illustrated, by an affecting
entry, found in one of his note-books ; to which,
Mrs. Phelan says, he was fond of alluding. It is
simply this, . . for it would seem never to have been
wrought up, into regular composition, . . * The emo-
tions of filial piety, perhaps the nearest approach
that nature gives, to the love of God.' Now, his
owTi conduct shows the high sense which he ever

* Dr. Phelan related this conversation, to a friend : and
tlic editor could not suppress a circumstance, so richly
biographical. He must, therefore, at once, throw himself
upon the indulgence of the eminent individual, who, above
most other men, ' does good by stealth.'

G'i

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

entertained, of both sacred ties : and the analogy
is the more beautifully striking, as coming from the
lips and heart, of such a son, and such a christian.
The sentiment of natural affection, in him, was
sublimated into a feeling, which had * less of earth
in it, than Heaven.' This was the animating soul
of all his efforts, from the first moment that such
efforts could availably be made, for the securing of
his parent's worldly comforts : it was the most re-
mote thing possible, from the callous and rigid
payment of a debt, involuntarily contracted ; and,
an indescribable emotion of mingled reverence and
love, from early childhood, to his latest hour, would
seem to have been, above most others, the master-
affection of his soul. ' I can never forget,' says
Mrs. Phelan, ' the manner, in which, on receiving a
letter, or other tidings from his first home, he was
wont to say, . . ' How I love and venerate that
dear old man, my Father ! ' '

By the kindness of his family, the writer pos-
sesses copies of letters, addressed to that *dear father'
by Dr. Phelan, almost from the year of his en-
trance into College, to the year of his death : from
these, I now propose to insert extracts of a small
number, not selected with any very curious nicety ;
but evincing, as, indeed, all the letters do, the af-
fectionate and wholly unselfish character of his
nature.

t)I' WILLIAM l^HLLAN, D. D. 65

Dublin, December 23. 1808.
Honoured Sir,

How different is our situation this
Christmas, from that, with which we were usually
blest ! It is, indeed, a gloomy change ; but still, it is
our duty to receive the change, as a visitation from
the Almighty : for, * whom the Lord loveth, he
chasteneth.* Let us learn, to bear our present
humiliation with patience : and the Lord will, no
doubt, reward our perseverance, in a manner be-
yond our expectations.

Your ever obedient Son,

William Phelan.

April 28. 1809.
Honoured Sir,

I have just happened to receive the

enclosed, and I hasten to remit it to you. My

endeavours to do without it, will be facilitated, by

the sweet hope, of its being useful to the best of

parents.

Your ever dutiful Son,

W. P.

# Dublin, April 13. 1810.

Honoured Sir,

Enclosed, I send you share of another
prize, which I obtained, at the time I took my de-
gree. It was for English verse ; the first time I

f

06 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

made any attempt that way : and, luckily, I have
been very successful. I also, on the same day,
got the gold medal * : so that, for a while, I am
pretty well supplied with college honours. I know
you, and my dear mother, will be glad to hear of
this : so, I have told you every thing that has hap-
pened to me.

I hope, my dear flither, that, whenever you
find yourself weakened by work, you will stop, and
indulge yourself. I am young. Sir : my work is
not so hard as yours ; and I should be ashamed
to hear, that he, to whom I owe my life and my
education, should labour too hard, while I have the
means of furnishing assistance.

Tell my mother, that I am not, nor ever shall be,
forgetful of her tender care of me : and believe me,
dear Sir,

Your ever grateful Son,
W. P.

Trin. Coll. Oct. 15. 1820.

My dear Father,

Once more, I must deny myself the
pleasure of taking a trip to Clonmel. My entrance
to-day, was only two pupils : and this is too small,
to allow of any more travelling for the year. I
wish very much, that you would lay out the en-

* See page 15., ante.

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, 1). I). 67

closed upon yourself. This day three weeks, I
shall send as much more : which can be used for
the family purposes.

I shall send the spectacles, by the first oppor-
tunity.

Believe me, my dear Sir,

Ever your affectionate Son,
W. P.

Trin. Coll. Oct. 7. 1821.
My dear Father,

I wish very much, that you would, im-
mediately, have the flannel waistcoats made. Give
up one pound, to the purpose ; and I shall be sure,
to make it up to you. Take care, and make your-
self comfortable, this winter. It can make the
difference of only a very few pounds to me ; and,
I hope, it is needless to say, that, for such a pur-
pose, I do not value a few pounds.

Your ever affectionate Son,
W. P.

Trin. Coll. Nov. 20. 1822.
My dear Father,

I beg you will employ the enclosed,

in some articles of comfortable dress, for yourself,

and my mother. Do not think of my being a

little embarrassed for money ; my difficulty, on

that account, will be but for a short time : and my

f 2

6s BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

uneasiness would be, beyond comparison, both
heavier, and longer, if you wanted any thing which
I could procure. W. P.

Trin. Coll. Oct. 25. 1823-
My dear Father,

It has just occurred to me, that 1 have
neglected you sadly as to money matters. To re-
move all such inconveniences in future, I shall
make it a rule, please God, to pay you quarterly.
You shall have, as long as we all live and do w^ell,
twenty-five pounds, on each of the following days,
&c. W. P,

Tuesday (1829).
My dear Father,

I do not know how to address you, at

this afflicting time. Our darling B • is gone

to a better world ; but you must feel the loss of her

society deeply. However, it would be selfish, as

well as presumptuous, to murmur at the will of Him,

who is the Father of us all.

I send the enclosed, for the purpose of buying

mourning ; it is right, that we should pay every

respect to the memory of that sweet creature, who

is gone from us.

Ever, my dear Father,

Your most affectionate Son,

W. P.

OF WILLIAM rilELAN, 1). D. f>9

5. Lower Merrion Street, Dublin,
March 11. 1830.
My dear Father,

It will grieve me excessively, if I
should discover, that you have been denying your-
selves any thing comfortable, from reluctance to
call upon me. Indeed, I am never satisfied, when
I see, or hear, that you do not take all the care
you ought of yourselves ; or do not attend to those
little supports of life, which your state, and that of
my mother, requires. You cannot but feel, that I
would count nothing within my power, too much
for your use, &c.

Ever, your affectionate Son,
W. P.

Dublin, March 25. 1830.
My dear Father,

It mortifies me, more than I can ex-
press, that I find it quite impossible, to accompany
Catherine to Clonmel. Various things conspire,
to make it necessary for us to leave Dublin, very
early next week : and many preparations are to be
made, before we can set out. All these causes
compel me, to let Catherine travel alone. But, I
live in hopes, that I shall see you, before the sum-
mer is over ; and that I shall find you, and my
dear mother, improved by the fine weather.

You will perceive, by what Catherine brings,
f 3

70 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

that 1 am still in your debt. I trust that I shall
be able to pay you. With my best love to my
dear mother,

Ever, your affectionate Son,

William Phelan.

This was his last letter to his father : and gives
delightful evidence, that something far tenderer,
and more sacred, than mere family affection, was
triumphant, even to the close.

But a touching incident yet remains. The
heavy expences of his last illness, had drained his
purse ; and, for some time, he had been unable to
remit his father's allowance. Unexpectedly, there
came in, for the renewal of a lease, five-and-thirty
pounds. * Let that, immediately, be sent to my
father*,* said Dr. Phelan, • I have been in his
debt too long.* It was enclosed, accordingly : and
his sister observing his extreme weakness, was about
to direct the cover ; but he said, quickly, ' Give
me the pen, . . if he saw any other hand-writing than
mine, the dear old mant might think me worse
than I am.* Within three days, he breathed his
last!

* Here was, precisely, the same spirit, which dictated the
memorable saying to his brother, sixteen years before. See
page 21, ante. J. L.

■f Dr. Phclan's usual phrase, when speaking of his father,
amidst his own familv.

OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, 1>. 1). 71

Next spring, (1831.) Miss Phelan writes, ' My
father is pretty well, considering his infirmities :
he bows, with submission, to the will of our heavenly
Father. But the tears roll down his aged face,
whenever William is mentioned ; and, sometimes,
when alone, he speaks to himself, in Irish, about
his darling.'

In April, 1832., Mr. Phelan, senior, was in his
eighty-sixth, and Mrs. Phelan, in her sixty-ninth
year.

It is, perhaps, very generally felt, that the most
natural and affecting letters of Pope, Warburton,
and Hurd, are those dictated by filial piety. But,
in genuine pathos and simplicity, they are far ex-
celled, by several of Dr. Phelan's. We are con-
tinually reminded of those exquisite lines, which
few sons have equally realized : . .

* O friend, may each domestic bliss be thine :
Be no unpleasing melancholy mine :
Me, let the tender office long engage,
To rock the cradle of reposing age;
Explore the thought, explain the asking eye.
And keep awhile both parents from the sky ! '

From 1823., to 1829-, Dr. Phelan's favourite,
und more congenial studies, were often interrupted,
by various political discussions of the day. To di-
late on such subjects, is foreign from the purpose
of this memoir; and, (may the memorialist be
allowed to add?) from the habits of his own life.

f 4

T^Z l!I()C;itAl'm(\\I. MKMOIK

Thei-eforc, as has been already intimated, 1 shall
here confine myself, to the simple mention of his
chief treatises, in the order of publication : , .

1. Essay on the subject, proposed by the Royal

Irish Academy, ' Whether, and how far, the
pursuits of scientific and polite literature, assist
or obstruct each other ? ' 1813. Re-published
in the present Volume.

2. « The Bible, not the Bible Society.' I8I7.

3. A Letter to Marquis Wellesley, on ' The Case

of the Church in Ireland: by Declan.' 1823.
Declan was the name of the first Bishop of
Ardmore, in Ireland : traditionally a member
of the family, whence Dr. Phelan was de-
scended. Not published, till after the author
had withdrawn from College.

4. The same. Second Edition, much enlarged.

1824.

5. A second Letter to the Marquis Wellesley,

under the same title, and signature. 1824.

6. * ALettertoAVilliamWilberforceEsq.' Suggest-

ing some alterations in Mr. Goulbum's Tithe
Composition Act. 182,5.

7. * A Digest of the Evidence, taken before the

Committees of both Houses of Parliament,
&c. in 182.5.' Vol. II. The first Volume of
this work, was drawn up, by the Rev. Mor-

or WILLIAM PIIELAX, I). 1). /^

timer O'Sullivun. Both he, and Dr. Phehin,
had been previously examined, before the
Committees. The Digest was brought out,
in March, 1826.

8. * History of the Policy of the Church of Rome,

in Ireland, &c.' 1827. This work, forms the
second Volume of the present publication. It
is given, not as a controversial, but purely
as an historical discussion : and it is hoped,
that, when temporary excitement shall have
subsided, it may be studied with advantage,
by persons of every description ; and not
least, by members of the Church of Rome.

9. Two Letters, from a Clergyman in Ireland, to

his friend in England. 1828.

10. * Remains, &c.' 2 vols. 8vo. 1882.

On the 26th of May, 1824., he was appointed,
by the Primate, to the Rectory of Killyman, in the
Diocese of Armaoh. His announcement of this
event, (to him, certainly, an important one,) be-
spoke a singularly well-balanced mind. He had
been writing on other subjects, and at some length,
to his friend Mr. Ryan, when he thus proceeds : . .
* This morning, his Grace presented me with a
very well-circumstanced living, and unincumbered
with any claim for building. I have now, thank
God, an immediate prospect of competency ; after
a total demolition of my affairs, within the course

71* BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

of the year. I am deeply grateful to Providence ;
but not elated : on the contrary, my mind is quite
still, and motionless/

Killyman was eligible as a residence, in several
respects ; in none more so, than its vicinity to Ar-
magh. Thence, Dr. Phelan was enabled to pass
many agreeable, and many useful hours, in commu-
nication with the Primate : whom, it would be im-
possible to say, how deeply he revered. And there,
along with Archdeacon Stopford, and the present
Dean of Armagh, the Primate being generally
present, he acted as examiner for holy orders.
An important office : by him, most faithfully dis-
charged ; for none felt more acutely, its weighty
responsibility.

He succeeded, in virtue of the arrangement made
with the Provost and senior Fellows, to the Rectory
of Ardtrea, in the gift of the University of Dublin,
about the 23d October, 1825.* His pecuniary cir-
cumstances now gave promise of becoming easy ;

* The income of the two parishes, has been accurately
reported to me; it appears that Killyman produced about
850/., and Ardtrea 950/. per annum. From this amount, is to
be deducted 400/., allowed by Dr. Phelan to his Curates ;
and, at least, 1.50/. for the expences of collection, <Src. From
the charges of faculty, outfit, furniture, &c. he was just be-
ginning to emerge ; when it pleased God to remove him.
The delicate state of his liealth, put a life-insurance out of
the (juestion. It was not even so much as attempted ; nor,
indeed, in his circumstances, would the attempt have been
lionest.

OF WILLIAM PIIELAN, D. D. 7^

and had his life been spared, for a very few years,
he might have provided competently for his family.
It is, however, but fair to say, that his mere ac-
quaintances were apt to think him ambitious ; and
it needs not be concealed, that he, sometimes,
seemed to view with complacency, the possibility
of, at a future day, obtaining a more prominent
place in his profession. But the present writer,
speaking from some knowledge of facts, and after
much deliberate thought on the subject, does not
hesitate to say, that Dr. Phelan's ambition (no
modification of which, can be perfectly, or abstract-
edly, right,) was, at least, quite free from selfish-
ness; that he regarded station in the church, not
as an end, but as a means of usefulness ; and that
the prevailing disposition of his mind, was, to per-
form faithfully his own immediate duties, and leave
events confidingly, and unreservedly, in the hands
of God.

The testimony of my friend, the Rev. Charles
Forster, so perfectly accords with my own experience,
that I cannot allow myself to suppress it ; and it
is the more valuable, I conceive, because it is given
in his own unpremeditated words, taken down ex-
actly as they were spoken : ' In October, 1825.,. .
I saw Dr. Phelan in Dublin, immediately after he
had succeeded to the living of Ardtrea. It was
the last opportunity I enjoyed, of his confidential
conversation. The sentiment uppermost in his

76 BIOGKAPIIICAL MEMOIR

mind, was a lively sense of the goodness of Provi-
dence towards him. He introduced, of his own
accord, . . the mouth manifestly speaking out of
the abundance of the heart, . . the great cause he
had for thankfulness ; expressed, with a look of
thoughtful calmness, his gratitude, at finding him-
self in a situation beyond his deserts, and fully
equal to his desires ; and concluded, by observing,
that he had nothing more to wish for in this
world ; but, had every reason, to be contented and
happy.*

In July, 1826., he proceeded D.D. ; and, imme-
diately after, was appointed, by the Lord Primate
of Ireland, his examiner for faculties ; this office,
however, soon virtually ceased ; the primate having,
greatly to his honour, declined to grant any more
faculties.

From the spring of 1827-, [with the exception
of his two letters to a Clergyman, &c., and a few
essays in the periodical Journals,] he did not pub-
lish : he seems to have resumed, for some time, his
earlier pursuits with unabated delight. He read
Plato, and the philosophers of his school ; Kant,
and the chief metaphysicians ; nor was he wholly
inobservant of the new system in progress, among
men of letters in France. But the Scriptures were
his real and profound study. He estimated the
best human productions, only, as, by correspond-
ence or by contrast, they served to display the

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 77

surpassing excellence of God's word : and he
thought our present intellectual systems, therefore
incomplete and uncertain, because they are formed,
not in accordance with, and subservience to, that
all-perfect rule. He, soberly, was of opinion, that,
when philosophy should condescend, to become
the humble disciple of Revealed Religion, she
would make the most rapid advances, and commence
a new era of metaphysical science. * If ever,' he
was used to say, ' there arises a Newton, in the
philosophy of Intellect, he vvill be a man profoundly
acquainted with the Bible.' Here, he was satis-
fied, are the principles of all knowledge, that has
man for its object : and, in the society of his
chosen intimates, whatever might be the subject of
conversation, it never failed to terminate in consi-
derations drawn from the sacred writings ; or
rather, he very soon proved, that, by the light of
Scripture, it could best be elucidated and expanded.
To his theological studies, therefore, he drew all
that was really interesting, in every literary pur-
suit : and, as his acquaintance with the Bible grew
more profound, it became more and more evident,
that, from thence, he was continually deriving new,
and striking thoughts.

Meanwhile, it was manifest to his anxious friends,
that his bodily health was rapidly on the decline.
The symptons were, perhaps, first, and most dis-

78 BIOGRAPHICAL MEAIOIR

tiiictly, observed by himself: thus, so early as the
month of October, 1825., he writes to a confiden-
tial friend : ' I am beginning to liave fears, of an-
other kind : which I do not like to detail on paper,
but which occupy a great portion of my secret
musings/ Again, on the 19th of Nov. 1826. :
* As for myself, I am certainly not well. My
power of enduring study is greatly reduced ; and
my susceptibility of cold increases, to a most uncom-
fortable extent.* In the summer of 1827., l^is
feelings were yet more distressing: July 16., he
says, . . * I am very low, with respect to my own
state. For the last six years, I have had, occa-
sionally, an intermitting pulse, which, at first, was
said to be nervous. But, I was given to under-
stand, that, unless it were mastered by exercise,
and tranquillity of mind, it might ultimately turn
out to be organic. It was diminishing, up to last
winter ; so much so, that I had begun to hope I
had mastered it : but my long confinement then
brought it on, to a very serious degree. Common
sense agrees with the physicians, that a disease,
which attacks, so directly, the seat of life, must be
treated with very respectful attention. I have
been ordered, and I intend obeying the precept, to
give up my books and scribbling, and devote my
care to my health. The great difficulty, I feel, is,
how to avert my thoughts from my own state.

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 79

when I am not occupied in studious thinking. 1
find, that, minute care about myself increases the
agitation of my pulse ; and, from the long-formed
habits of my life, I do not know any way of divert-
ing my thoughts effectually, but by engaging in
some settled scheme of mental occupation. This
last, however, every one agrees in condemning. I
had designed, by this time, to have commenced a

series of ; but it will not be allowed. The

worst of the matter is, that, I really believe, the
irksomeness of want of settled employment, is as
bad for me as work.' His spirits, towards the
close of this year, appear to have been nearly over-
whelmed ; he writes, . . December 1. 1827., * A
History of the ancient Church of Ireland, has been
one of the many things, upon which my thoughts
have dwelt : but this, as well as all the rest, must
now be postponed ; perhaps, for ever. The state
of my pulse and nerves, renders application to
study perfectly impossible : and, as, in these cases,
mind and body re-act upon each other, I see no
reasonable prospect of improvement. An occasional
sermon, will now, probably, be the measure of my
labours, for the rest of my life. I attend to myself
very carefully ; rise at six o'clock, am systemati-
cally temperate, read very little, and go out, when-
ever the weather permits. My great desideratum
is, the want of society : the society, I mean, of men

80 lUOGHAPHlCAL MEMOIK

with whom I might converse, upon those topics,
which arc now part of myself.*

The very evening of the day, in which this me-
lancholy letter was penned, he had a serious attack
of pleurisy : and, after five weeks' close confinement,
he was not able so nmch as to reach the hall-door.
The utmost exertion that he could make, was a
gentle walk about his study : and his friends were
desirous, that, when his strength should be tolerably
returned, he would consent to vary the scene. The
general feeling on the subject may be collected,
from a letter written at the time. ' Ardtrea, Jan.
25. 1828. Most people here speak of the Cove
of Cork, as the most desirable retreat for me ; the
doctors say, an excursion, and idleness, without
any particular destination ; and though last, not
least among my advisers, the Primate recommends
a trip to Dublin.'

To that city, therefore, he removed, in the win-
ter of 1828-9; medical men having concurred, in
ordering a removal, from the cold, damp climate
of the north, to a more genial atmosphere. While
he continued in Dublin, he, apparently, grew much
better ; but, no sooner had he returned home, than
the affection on his lungs became more distressing j
and he was medically forbidden to preach, or per-
fonn any part of divine service. Shortly after, he
was afflicted with a violent palpitation of the heart,

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 81

which forced him to give up his usual exercise ; a
short ride or walk, causing him much embarrass-
ment.

Just before his return, he addressed to his
brother-in-law a letter, which throws some inter-
esting light upon his character : * Dublin, Feb. 23.
1829. My life here is one of perfect seclusion:
except, so far as going occasionally to a news-room,
or to the College chapel on Sunday, may be called
going into society. I see * * * * but seldom ; and
scarcely ever dine out. You will be surprised, at
all this ; but it is, because you have mistaken my
character, and disposition : for, though I have, or
rather liad, somewhat of a lively manner, with my
very few close intimates, there is no one of a really
more retiring turn. I dwell too much among my
own thoughts, to have either the power, or the
will, to make myself acceptable to many of those
around me. There is much of this, that I would
not change, if I could ; for I am satisfied, that the
world is a very heartless affair. In some instances,
however, I am quite aware, that my shyness, or
sullenness, or whatever else it may be called, is
downright infirmity.*

Towards the close of 1829-, he again went to
reside in Dublin : not, however, with any very
beneficial effect. A Physician of great eminence

g

82 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

interdicted, not merely preacliing, and performance
of all parochial duty, but any continuous writing,
and study of whatever kind. The tone of his mind
was unusually depressed : but, to me, the most af-
fecting thing of all, is, the rich vein of imagination
which was continually breaking forth ; evincing,
even in his most morbid state, the supremacy of
mind over matter. Thus on the 17th of Oct., he
writes to his friend Mr. Ryan : . . * I am, indeed,
very low : and the worst of it is, that the mind
has sunk into a kind of lethargy, from which I have
no power of rousing it. My faculties are not
gone : for, sometimes, when I dream, I can ener-
gize as well as ever, and am busy in discussions of
various kinds ; but, while awake, they go to hide
from me, and all my efforts cannot bring them out
of their holes. The cause, I suspect, is to be found
in a morbid excess of bile, which I have been
secreting. I remember to have seen, somewhere,
that a man's understanding is very much in his
stomach : and, from my recent experience, I be-
lieve it to be true.*

Yet, even at this period, his mind was, frequently,
as much alive as ever, to his intellectual improve-
ment and pursuits : thus, in a letter to his early
associate, Mr. S. O 'Sullivan, dated Dec. I7. 1829-,
he savs, with his usual modest estimate of his own

OF WILLIAM rHELAN, D. D. 83

powers, . . * I opened an old sermon of my College
days, yesterday ; and was disappointed greatly at
the execution, though the thoughts are good. You
ought to give me a lecture in composition ; I hope
to he soon ahle to profit by it.*

The extracts lately given from Dr. Phelan's
correspondence, are evidently fitted to leave a far
less lively impression, than the just one, of the
habitual frame of his mind and spirits. But they
were, for the most part, written at times of illness
and depression ; and they have been selected, for
the express purpose of showing, that, even then,
his feelings were such, as one alike qualified to live,
and prepared to die, would willingly cherish, at
the approach of ' the inevitable hour.' They were
chiefly written, to that bosom-intimate*, by whose
kindness, I am enabled to characterize them, in
Dr. Phelan's own words : . . ' I have laid open my
reveries to you, in the same rambling, unreflecting
manner, as if I had been thinking aloud, and by
your fire-side. To you, I write of myself, because
I am sure, that what concerns me, is not uninter-
esting to you. There is no one, to whom I dare
behave so.' His last letter to his chosen friend,
written on the twenty-ninth of May, just seventeen

* The Rev. Kicluird Ryan.

(T o
<3

8i BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

(lays before his death, has these words, . . a cha-
racteristic close of such a correspondence: . . ' I have
been greatly cheered, by your last two letters : and
I look forward, with impatient anxiety, to your
promised visit. The circle of our friends narrows
so fearfully, as we proceed in life, that the affections
gather, with intensity of regard, round the few
that remain, within the little inclosure. W. P.'

In April, 1830., his brother*, who, for nineteen
years, had, with anxious fondness, been watching
each expressive variation of his countenance, saw in
it, on his return to the country, the signs of fast
approaching dissolution. On May the twenty-
fourth, he went to the Chapel-in-the-woods, one of
the churches of Ardtrea, nine miles distant from
the rectory, to hold a vestry. The day was wet,
and tempestuous ; he sat, for several hours, in damp
clothes ; and, as might have been anticipated, took
a severe cold. On the twenty-eighth, the injurious
effects became sadly apparent : a distressing cough,
extreme difficulty of breathing, total sleeplessness,
impossibility so much as to lie down. Mrs. Plielan,
finding that the means prescribed wrought no
abatement of suffering, now proposed, that he
should go to his brother's at Killyman ; for, she

* The Rev. James Phelan, then curate of Killyman, now
Prebendary of St. Audocn's, Dublin.

OF WILLIAM PHELAJT, D. D. 85

had often been led to remark, that the society of
that dear relative, in his affection for whom, were
blended the feelings of a brother, a father, and a
friend, had, commonly, a salutary effect upon his
health and spirits. He went accordingly. On en-
tering the house, he first saw Mrs. James Phelan ;
towards whom, he had ever felt, and showed, the
truest brotherly affection. To her he said, with that
playful seriousness, which, in him, was quite cha-
racteristic, ' Harriette, I am come to die with
you.' This was on the sixth of June. For the
next three days, in the course of which, he took
two airings in an open carriage, some hopes were
entertained of his recovery ; his cough was more
infrequent, his breathing less embarrassed, and he
had a little sleep. But, on the tenth, all the old
symptoms returned, with aggravation : and a new
symptom appeared, which seldom fails to prove an
immediate forerunner of dissolution. Still, how-
ever, on the eleventh, he ventured, supported by
his brother, to take a short walk in the garden :
and next day, he was up a little while. But, at nine
o'clock A. M., on Sunday, June the thirteenth, he
expired, without the slightest struggle. To the
last, he retained full possession of his mental
powers : and exercised, with unabated vigour, the
kindliest of human affections. Nor is it presumptu-i

g3

86 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

ous to hope, that, through the merits and medi-
ation of a Divine Redeemer, lie is gone to tluit
state, where the aspirings of a purified spirit, shall
not be weighed down, by the pressure of a mortal
body.*

It may, perhaps, be expected, that the writer of
this memoir, should add somewhat in the way of
character. But he trusts, that, from almost every
page, may be collected his estimate, of this excel-
lent, and extraordinary young man. And, happily,
Mrs. Phelan has put into his hands, a paper, drawn
up by herself; the faithful result of fifteen years'
intimacy with his whole mind and heart. This, I
will give, almost as I received it : and I think its
beautiful simplicity far more eloquent, than the
most laboured panegyric. Here, then, I close my
biographic labours. And I cannot but express my
fervent wish, that many may be induced, not merely
to admire, but to emulate, the virtues and the spirit,

* At four o'clock in the afternoon, of June 15. 1830, his
remains were deposited, in a vacant space, where tlie old
church liad formerly stood, in the grave-yard of Killyman.
A numerous body of clergy, and a vast concourse of people,
assembled at the funeral. His brother, the Rev. James
Phelan, and his brother-in-law, the Rev. J. H. Stubbs, were
mourners. The funeral service was read by the Rev. Richard
Horner, Rector of the neighbouring parish of Drumglass ;
who pronounced a very instructive, and aflecting address,
at the grave.

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 87

of Dr. Phelaii. For my own part, I feel, that my
responsibility is, in no slight degree, increased by
the long and close inspection of such mature good-
ness.

John Limerick.

East-Hill, Wandsworth,
May 21. 1832.

g 4

88 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

MRS. PHELAN'S PAPER.

• On looking through his earliest manuscripts, it
is evident, how entirely, from the beginning, his
mind was directed towards the one great end of
our being. Even in these unfinished papers, it is
an office of delightful interest, to trace the progres-
sive history of his fine mind : to see it, from ten-
derest youth, to maturest manhood, continue to
expand, and give forth fresh promise ; till, at length,
it burst forth from its earthly incumbrance, as we
may humbly trust, to enjoy heavenly converse, in
a state of unalloyed purity.

His many note-books, and even the smallest
shred of written paper left behind him, testify the
fulness of that mind, and its ever-budding fresh-
ness ; each beautiful thought seeming to contain
matter for a volume. While inspecting such do-
cuments, my heart is lifted up, in adoration of the
great Creator ; who alone, can give such faculties
to man, with the power, and the will to use them.

The sweetness of his domestic qualities shone,
in beaming tenderness, through his manly nature ;
rendering him, in all seasons, whether of labour or
repose, a most delightful companion. Delicacy of

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 89

constitution, and unintcrmitting devotedncss to
literary pursuits, enhanced his natural love of
home-quiet ; but never, for a moment, relaxed his
ever-working powers of thought.

Except when labouring under veiy distressing
illness, he was not merely cheerful, but animated,
and full of the joy even of childhood. Often have
I seen him, after dancing and singing with his
little children, . . suddenly throw himself into his
chair, take up his note-book, and write, exclaim-
ing, . . * I have worked up a good thing for my
book.' And thus, frequently, some of his happiest,
and most exquisite thoughts suggested themselves
to him, amidst the full enjoyment of his delighted
little family circle.

Abstractedness, therefore, so usual an accompa-
niment of literary habits, was never to be detected
in him. He was present to every thing ; always
ready to take a part in conversation ; and felt a
lively interest in whatever was going forward.
Even when engaged in the closest and deepest
application, his intercourse with his family was not
suspended : the amusements of his children did
not interfere with him ; their presence and enjoy-
ment gave him pleasure ; reading aloud interrupted
not tho train of his thoughts ; music seemed almost
to assist them ; and, in the midst of intense study,
he would pause to answer the simplest question.

90 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

in a manner equally full of encouragement, and
affection.

But, whenever information of an instructive
kind was asked for, he delighted, especially, in
giving it ; and never failed to do so, in that happy
style of brevity and clearness, for which he was
remarkable : replying with readiness and interest,
as if the particular subject in question had exclu-
sively engaged his thoughts ; and, on such occa-
sions, his countenance and manner told what
pleasure he felt, in communicating knowledge.
Indeed, whenever he spoke, his air was animated
and joyous ; and so thoroughly was information,
at once general and deep, diffused throughout his
mind, that he viewed the most ordinary subject in
an uncommon light ; and unconsciously excited
new trains of thought, in the minds of those
around him. In his hours of necessary relax-
ation, he ever combined wit with instruction, and
philosophy with mirth : and playfully imparted
those treasures, which he had laboriously accumu-
lated, by severe study. Above most other men,
he possessed the happy fliculty of teaching, with-
out appearing to dictate ; and he continually en-
lightened the circle which revolved around him,
unconscious that he was himself the luminary, in
whose beams they were rejoicing.

His general manner was simple and unpretend-

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D. D. 91

ing ; he never assumed the air of conscious superi-
ority ; but, * possessing that prime knowledge, which
consists in knowing, how Httle can be known,' he
was, at all times, too deeply occupied with the
beauty and tendency of the idea, to dwell, for a
moment, on its mere origination. The same unaf-
fected demeanour marked him, whether in the pul-
pit, in private discussion with his friends, or in
the more general conversation of mixed society. I
never heard him speak, on any subject, whatever
its apparent difficulty, without feeling, that I
could, in some degree, at least, find my way
through it. Such was his lucid clearness, and
concise, though beautiful method of reasoning.
And, perhaps, the best evidence of a great mind,
is that power, of simplifying food for the feeble-
minded.

Devotion to his beloved studies, but too often,
and in many ways, affected his bodily health. At
one period, he became subject to a distressing com-
plaint, in one of his eyes. To this, however, he
never yielded, till acute pain made it indispensable,
that the organ should have rest. At these times,
he was in the occasional habit of dictating, from
the stores of his mind, that which another reduced
to writing. In the latter years of his life, he had
repeated attacks of this nature ; succeeding each
other, with so short a re^spite between, that, but

92 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

for that active energy of mind, ^vllich never forsook
him, he must have sunk under mere physical de-
pression. When suffering in tliis way, lie has
often dictated various portions of his works ; ar-
ranging long passages in his mind, as he walked
through the room ; and repeating them with great
accuracy and clearness, while one of his family
wrote them down, for his future correction. And
at times, when able to use his eyes, but much
hurried in composition for the press, he has
worked double tides ; at once dictating to an
amanuensis, and rapidly penning some other part
of the same treatise.

It has been well observed of him, that ' he lived
two lives in one.' The quickness of his apprehen-
sion enabled him to acquire knowledge, in a far
shorter space of time than most persons : while
this faculty served l)ut to stimulate his exertion,
and excite an appetite for fresh information, never
to be satiated in the present stage of existence. In
his favourite study of theology, he laboured, with
a persevering ardour, perhaps seldom excelled, or
even equalled. And the result gives a fresh in-
stance of the fact, that a sincere and humble
search after truth, directed by a clear intellect,
and aided by solid learning, is always productive
of a self-conviction, which, generally, draws others
to the same belief In fiict. Dr. Phelan had read

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 93

more than enough to unsettle the minds of many
acute, but unballasted, unstable half-thinkers ; while,
to him, inquiry never failed to produce a deeper,
and more principled conviction of the great truths
of the Gospel.

No person, indeed, could be more deeply im-
pressed with a sense of man's utter helplessness,
in his unassisted state. Therefore the humility of
his faith was of the most profound character. But
he felt what noble things, restored, and re-created
man is capable of, and intended for. Therefore
he continually aspired, through Divine Grace, after
the renovation and improvement of his flillen na-
ture.

His conception of our Lord's character was so
perfectly lovely, that, where we might have
dreaded to approach, we are attractively drawn
forward ; and gratefully behold Divinity itself,
embodied in the Redeemer of our souls. By ever
keeping before him this Model of perfection, he
was gradually becoming conformed to His image ;
and he truly, and habitually, * walked humbly
with his God.'

For two or three months previous to his final
separation from us in the flesh, the idea of his
own approaching dissolution seems to have been
familiar to him. I had an opportunity of observ-
ing this, especially at one particular period j when,

9i BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

from a recent confinement, and the interdiction of
all study, he became acutely nervous and sensitive.
About that time, too, he was seized with an alarm-
mcr numbness, in one of his arms ; attended by a
shock, similar to that of paralysis. During the
continuance of this attack, which lasted about an
hour, he appeared to undergo a great mental
struggle ; the agonizing conflict bringing tears to
his eyes. At length, the power having returned,
of shaking off this weakness, by a violent effort,
he was quite overcome by the gracious relief: and
immediately withdrew to his own room ; where
he remained alone, for upwards of an hour. Then
he rejoined his family, with more than his usual
cheerfulness ; and with a heavenly serenity, which
seemed newly given to him.

The last week of his mortal being, cannot,
while I remain after him, be severed from my
thoughts ; the recollection of it fills me with heart-
felt gratitude to the Most High. From the great
difficulty of breathing under which he laboured, it
was a period of almost unintermitting suffering ;
fits, nearly of suffocation, came on continually
during the night ; frequently, too, during the
course of the day. But his equanimity, patience,
and reliance on the Divine Mercy, never, for a
moment, forsook him. His resignation to the
Divine will was meek, and unvaried ; his whole

OF WILLIAM PHELAN, D.D. 95

manner showed this ; and the few consolatory
words, wliich, at any time, he uttered, were evi-
dently designed, but, to relieve the agonized feel-
ings, of those who witnessed his sufferings. The
night before his departure, he called me to his
bed-side : and, in the beginning of his little ad-
dress, his countenance and manner bore an almost
playful animation. I am now fully persuaded,
that glimmerings of the glory so soon to be re-
vealed, were, at that moment, dawning on his
mental sight, and even giving him bodily ease,
while he spoke to me these comforting words : . .

* I am greatly relieved by the bleeding, thanks
be to God! And, though I have, indeed, had
a very violent attack, yet I feel, as though I had,
still, a sufficiency of strength, with God's help, to
bring me through. And now, go over, and lie
down in your bed, with a full confidence in the
power of the Almighty. I will call you to me,
when necessary. Pray for me : giving Him
thanks, for all his mercies to me. There never
was any one, who had more abundant cause for
humble gratitude.'

Then, nearly exhausted, his words gradually
became indistinct : and from mental prayer, he
sunk into a calm and childlike sleep. These were
the last words of consequence, I ever heard him
utter. But if, at any time, upon its separation

96 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR.

from the body, a spirit has been blessed with tlie
foretaste of immortal peace, . . and if it be not pre-
sumptuous to indulge in the delightful confidence,
. . may I be enabled to rest in sure and certain
hope, that his Soul is numbered with the blessed !

M. f:

London, April 1832.
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The LIFE and TIMES of RICHARD BAXTER, with a Critical
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XVI. An INQUIRY into the MODERN PREVAILING

NOTIONS respoctincr that FREEDOM of WILL which is siipposod to
he ICssentiiil to Monil Agency, Virtue and Vice, Reward and Punishment,
Praise and Bhime. liy Jonathan Edwaiids, A.I\I. With an Intro-
ductory Essay hy tlie Author of " Natural History of Enthusiasm,'* Iii
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—Eclectic Hevicu; October 11)31.

" And now, having brought to a close our review of this very beautiful Essay, we cor-
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XVII. CHRISTIAN RECORDS ; or, a Short and Plain

History of the CHURCH of CHRIST : containing the Lives of the

Apostles; an Account of the Sulferings of fliartyrs ; the Rise of tlie
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*," This Httle ^"oh^me has heen in part translated into the modern Greek
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XVIII. A SHORT HISTORY oftheCHRISTIAN CHURCH,

from its Erection at Jerusalem down to the Present Time. Designed for the
Use of Schools, Families, &c. 15y the Rev. John Fuy, B.A., Itector of
Desford, in Leicestershire, Author of " A New Translation and Exi)osition
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" Mr. Fry's C'onipendiimi of Church History is an instructive and interesting survey of
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2. LECTURES, Explanatory and Practical, on the EPISTLE of
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:J. CANTICLES; or, SONG OF SOLOMON: a new Translation,
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■1. A PRESENT for the CONVALESCENT, or for those to whom
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Published by James Duncax. 5

XIX. SERMONS on the most INTERESTING DOC-
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XX. MEMOIRS of EMINENTLY PIOUS WOMEN. By

Thomas Giisnov, D.D., onibellislied with Eighteen tine Portraits; cor-
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XXIV. A HISTORY of BRITISH ANIMALS, exhibiting-

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XXV. ELEMENTS of CONXHOLOGY, accoitlin<2: to the

liinnman Sv«tem; iUustratcd bv Twentv eight Plates, drawit from Nature.
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XXVI. A GREEK and ENGLISH LEXICON, for the
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XXVII. BIBLIA HEBRAICA, Editio long^ Accuratissima.
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It has been the particular object of the Publisher to offer to the Public a neat and correct
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this been carefully corrected ; and the Publisher is detemiined to avail himself of that security
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XXVIII. A GRAMMAR of the HEBREW LANGUAGE ;

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augmented with much Original Matter, drawn principally from Oriental
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Rev. S. Lee, B.D. ; D.D. of the University of Halle ; Honorary Member
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IM.K.A.S. &c. &c. ; and Regius Professor of Hebrew iu the University of
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*,* Professor Lee is preparing for publication a HEBREW and
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XXIX. THE CLASSICAL STUDENT'S MANUAL ; con-

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plained. Second Edition ; to which is now added, the First Twelve Books
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XXX. CORPUS POETARUM LATINORUM. Edited by
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The authors comprised in this Volume constitute The Wholk of thk Classical
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The peculiar advantages of this Kdition arc, its pcntahility and its eheapntxs. The whole
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Published by James Duncan. 7

XXXI. THE AJAX of SOPHOCLES, illustrated by English

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XXXII. TREATISE on CLOCK and WATCH-MAKING,

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Routh, .Stallliaum, Nitzch, Heusde, Fischer, Boeckh, Lange, Nurnburger,
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typographical errors are corrected as had escaped that Editor's vigilance.

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DEDICATED, DV PERMISSION, TO HIS MAJESTY.

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THE MODERN TRAVELLER;

CONTAINING

A Description, Geographical, Historical, and Topograjjlncal, of the Various

Coujitries of tbe Globe, compiled from the latest and best Authorities.

EDITED BY JOSIAII COxNDER.

",• The various Countries may he had separate, price 5s. Gd. per Vol., hds.

Vol. I PALESTINE, or, THE HOLY LAND.

IL and III SYRIA and ASLV MINOR.

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VII. VIII. IX. and X. INDIA.

XI BIllMAH, SIAM, and ANAN.

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XXIII. and XXIV UNITED STATES of AMERICA and

CANADA.

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XXVII COLUMBIA.

XXVIII PERU.

XXIX. and XXX BRAZIL and BUENOS AYRES.

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In Three Volumes 18wo, embellished with numerous Plates and Maps,
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ITALY.

By JosiAU CoNDER, Author of " The Modern Traveller."

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usually performed, and the question is answered. Mr. Conder is the compiler of the
Modern Traveller, the best and conipletcst geographical and descriptive work in any
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way up to distinction; and we pride ourselves on having taken every opportunity, public
.and private, of pointing out the merits — modest, unpretending, but sterling merits — of the
book and the Ixiok-mnkLr. Italy is on the plan, and, as we should conceive, a portion, of the
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a country than by running through it, — just aS Mr. Mill has said, in his preface to the
Ilritish India, there wa.s an advant.ige, in writi:!g the history of a country, never to have
seen it. Three small volumes now contain the It.alian traveller's library: with this work,
and a book of posts or roads, and a good map, the curious inquirer is completely set up:
he may throw Eustace overboard, surrender Lady Morgan to the Austrian douaniers, turn
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" Conder's Modern Traveller is worth all the Libraries taken together," — Fraser't Mag.
August 1831.

LO.VJON : — J, MOVES, 20, CASTIE STAEBT, LEICKSTBIl SQCAIlli.